Easter Blessings ... :) Shangy!
>-->Friday is Passover - Good Friday.
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jgs \(\
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For many of us, we wonder what it is all about. Wasn't the
Passover celebration just for the Jews? Why should we care
about something that is from the old testament and not meant
for us?
Well, that is what I used to think, until I understood better.
Today we have a wonderful teaching from CES to do just that -
help us understand better...
>From TruthOrTradition: What Is The Passover?
The importance of the Passover to Christians is established in the
Church Epistles, the letters written directly to the Christian Church,
in that they refer to Jesus as the Passover Lamb.
1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without
yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed.
To understand this verse, we need to know what the Passover lamb is, and
why the Passover was instituted by God as one of the most important
feasts on the Jewish calendar. As we study the Passover Feast and the
Passover lamb, we will gain a deepened appreciation for God and His Son,
and strengthen our relationship with them.
>Visit here for the full teaching:
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=779
The Passover
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>They call it Good Friday.
I call it sadness. It is the day they tortured, beat, humiliated,
and murdered by crucifixion my Lord Jesus Christ. It is like
highlighting the day my grandma died or my mom died or my sister
died and telling me to be happy and sing praises. I am always
depressed on 'Good Friday'. Why? It is the day a loved one of mine
was brutally murdered. That is just how I see it.
People tell me I am wrong. I should look at it like what it is that
Jesus laid down his life for me and all us. I should grasp it and
revel in it and embrace all the pain and suffering he went through
knowing that he did it for me and for all mankind. I should proudly
wear the cross as a symbol of what Christ did for me and all those
who believe on him. But I look away when I see the cross. I see only
the pain, agony and misery he endured for me and it brings tears to
my eyes as it would for any hero who had given his life so I could live.
I will rejoice on Monday. Victory Day! The day God raised my Lord
from the dead and made all who were cruel to him eat crow!
That's the day to sing praises and dance for joy.
I'll do a Victory dance like the one being done here on the
Let's Dance page!
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/dance.html
Party Time
My heart will be glad then!
They should have a 'Good Monday' then I would smile! :)
============================================
>If you are going, 'Monday - What?'
Then Read about it here:
http://truthortradition.com/
Easter Topics
=====================================================================
>-->From Our Friend Betty :)
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The Awesomeness of Christ!!
IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE
IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.
IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN
IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000
MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;
IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A
SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,
IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;
IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR,
PRINCE OF PEACE;
IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;
SO.
WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS CHRIST - THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD!
JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY.
THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL, THE HAND THAT
WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN, AND THE
MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER.
REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.
AMEN
THROUGH JESUS I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!
The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. send this to all
on your buddy list .. if not just ignore it.
If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said ... "If you deny me
before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven."
God's Blessing is Over Flowing!
Have A Blessed Day and pass this on.
----
...Wonderful! - Thank you Betty!
=======================================================================
>-->An Invitation From Our friend KathyK :)
I'm A Galatians 2:20 Woman.
http://360.yahoo.com/kathie5255
Young At Heart, Slightly Older In Other Places
http://www.christianscorner.com/forum/blog/kathie5255/index.php?
In, From or Interested in LA? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Louisiana
========================================================================
>-->From InspiredBuffalo: An Easter Story
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jgs .' '.
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas.
She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr.
Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite
patient was Edith Burns.
One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because
of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith
with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother
sitting beside her.
Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my
name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain
the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.
Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse,
Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood
pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe
in Easter?"
Beverly said, "Why yes I do."
Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"
Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and
dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter,
and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet.
I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room.
After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when
she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad?
Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"
Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the
patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it
says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."
Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? Do you
think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my
precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me
that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having
difficulty giving me my ticket!"
Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith
Burns is!"
Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office
was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did
not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said
she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will,
I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here
next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."
Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room
with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to
patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her
Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.
Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because
she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She
had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She
had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by
the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith
had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she
walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God
loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you."
Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work.
I'm not interested."
Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go
home until you come into the family."
Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never
happen," and curtly walked out of the room.
Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say,
"God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."
One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like
a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm
so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special
day."
Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question,
"Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me."
Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait
until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her
Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death,
burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you
believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He
wants to live in your heart?"
Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and
I do want Jesus in my life. "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and
invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross
did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of
angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what
day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday."
Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"
Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some
of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter
lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter
lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.
When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black
Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet
smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she
realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's
house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be
also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor
crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have
passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face
toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy
Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"
Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a
table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is
Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
If you believe in Easter, forward this on. God works in wonderful ways,
and to believe in his power is to truly be free. If Jesus had e-mail,
he'd do the same for you.
Maybe He just did.
Subscribe send a blank email to:
the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
=====================================================================
>-->From Heartwarmers: THE EASTER GIFT by Diane Dean White
It had been a busy winter adjusting to a new school for the
children, as well as making friends and feeling settled in a suburb
of Atlanta.
With two in elementary and one in junior high it was a fragile
age, and building friendships without peer pressure was important.
The days were warm and the azaleas were out in full bloom by mid
February. The new life and spring flowers helped us to enjoy our new
home.
We had joined a nearby church and met a number of people who
were friendly and included us in the social events, always thinking
of our children as well.
We knew Easter was coming and our family was back in Michigan.
At night, as my husband and I were talking, I shared some of my
feelings about the area still not feeling like home and I was
concerned about the kids and how different it was for them in a
southern city, coming from northern roots.
We both agreed that the church family was a big help as people
from all over were part of the congregation and we felt secure that
the Lord would work things out in His own timing.
One afternoon I received a phone call from a lady that I had
come to know at church. Our children were the same ages and I felt
instantly drawn to her. She had called to invite us over for Easter
dinner. I was so touch by this generous offer and delighted to have
something for the children to look forward to as well as fellowship
for Steve and me.
After Easter services we followed them back to their home. It
was a large welcoming house, and my eyes immediately fell on the bowl
of colorful finger Jello that had been cut up into squares and placed
on the buffet. The table was adorned with colored eggs and flowers,
and the children were seated together where conversation could flow
easily.
I thought about how God brings people into our lives at just the
right time and how fortunate we were for their friendship.
We were getting settled and feeling like the south was almost as
good as our northern home when Steve came home and announced that
they wanted him to consider another position, but it would mean
moving -- a move back to Michigan. Wow!
I guess my excitement was quite evident and then I saw the faces
on our children.
"Home again?" said the oldest. "I vote, YES!" The others were
in total agreement.
The days packing boxes took some time but soon our departure was
upon us. On the day of the move, I wondered how we would get
everything done. Just then, our friends arrived with some people
from the church and pitched right in.
I remember thanking my friend for being such an encouragement to
me and for my family during the months we had lived in the Atlanta
suburb. She simply said, "Just pass it on." She never took credit
for anything -- she just praised the Lord for everything. I was so
grateful they were in our lives.
After returning to Michigan I realized I had neglected to get
their address and I contacted the church In Atlanta.
I received the strangest reply... They had no record of a
family by that name attending. However, they did remember us and
wished us well.
I made a telephone call to the church secretary the next day.
She remembered my letter but she had no idea who I could be referring
to. I explained the names and ages of the children, where they lived
and what cars they drove. She was sorry.
That evening when Steve got home I told him about the
conversation and how our friends from Atlanta weren't part of the
church. How ridiculous did that sound? They were in the services
with us and other functions. I tried to contact them by telephone
but the number was disconnected.
Steve and I looked at each other. We weren't going to question
God on this one, but we certainly thanked Him in prayer.
Whenever I make finger Jello for our grandchildren I always
think about a special Easter meal near Atlanta years ago when God
gave us some warm and caring friends that I will never forget.
-- Diane Dean White
___________________________________________
Diane is a freelance writer and the author of two books. She is a
columnist for a weekly magazine and the editor of HeartCatchers.
Diane and Steve reside on Hilton Head Island, SC, and are the parents
of three grown children and three grandgals. You may visit Diane's
website and read a number of her published stories at:
http://www.DianeDeanWhite.com
=======================================================================
>-->From Our Friend Tony from Australia :)
>Is there any other way???
I read an article whilst in a waiting room at a hospital yesterday. I
love to find the Readers Digest on those little magazine racks and read
the “laughs’ section. When one is sitting in a Doctors or Specialists
waiting room, ‘one’ often needs something to smile about.
Well, not often have I found anything ‘religious’ in the good old
‘Readers Digest’ but this particular issue carried a very interesting
article, well, to me anyway. I did notice that the book, for the most
part was ‘well worn’, but not the particular pages I was interested in.
The article was titled, “ is Jesus the ONLY way to Salvation”. So
obviously, it stopped me dead in my tracks.
I have heard that question so many times before, and I read on,
thinking I might hear a ‘different’ version of what I myself believed.
In this article, a certain part caught me eye. It was discussing the use
of ‘parables’ and how Jesus taught using ‘parables’ and it went on to
discuss that ‘most’ religions served the ‘same’ God, but in different
ways.
My‘spiritual ears’ were pricked up at this point.
I guess, we have all heard that’s statement wouldn’t you say? I have
heard ‘God” described as the ‘centre of a wheel’ and the Churches are
the ‘spokes’ which either ‘come off’ the centre or all meet at the same
place. Well, I can remember as a kid having a ‘bike’. My poor old bike
had many a missing ‘spoke’…. But it got me where I am today, and my
journey may still have a long way to go.
I do, ‘shudder’ when I hear it said that we ‘serve the same God in
different ways’ though. I believe that whatever ‘way’ we choose is
fine….as long as it’s Gods way and not just our own.
So now, it gets to the part where it’s all down to ‘interpretation’.
So, indulge me a little and let me use a ‘parable’ to explain myself and
I ma not going to use a ‘Christian’ parable, in fact, I will use a
Buddhist teaching, which may please some, but I am sure not all…
A group of men were gathered together…men who had been ‘blind’ from
birth. Now it is said that when we lose one of our ‘senses’ the other
four gain strength and sensitivity, so with that in mind, the blind men
are put into a rather large room…..with an elephant.
Attendants led each one of the men to a different part of the elephant, one felt the animals head, one felt it’s legs and feet another felt its tail and yet another. It’s ears and then finally, one man examined the trunk.
The men were given time to themselves to deliberate what it was they had
‘felt’, then they were invited to ‘discuss’ what they had examined and
to explain the question put to them, “ what is an elephant?”
Well, needless to say that when a group of people are put together with
limited information on a certain subject, an argument will ensue! And
ensue it did! One man said he had examined a tree trunk, another said he
had held some sort of ‘brush’ another said what he had felt was a
‘ploughshare’.
The conclusion was this. Each one had examined but one part of a subject
matter and not the whole thing, how then? Could they describe an
elephant?
Well, don’t you think that this is something like what ‘we’ do?
GOD is Truth simple as that.
What we as ‘laymen’ and women, can really only discuss what ‘little’ God
has revealed to ‘us’ as individuals. Is that so? Does that make any of
us ‘experts’ on God? Can we say to others, can we ‘argue’ with others
that we have the same God? And that He just ‘revealed’ certain different
‘parts’ of Himself in different ways? To ‘different’ people?
Truth is friends, Brothers and Sisters…if we all believe that then we
would all be wrong! We would still be in ‘spiritual darkness’!
Let me say this again please… GOD IS! TRUTH…
Man seeks the truth yes! But often it can be said he has never ‘found’
it. Yes the Bible says SEEK and Ye shall find… but religion , any
‘religion’…..can reveal God the way He would have Himself revealed and
that is ‘personally’! to the individual.
The most important thing that God wants of us, the most crucial part
necessary in being a Christian, is to strive for a ‘personal’
relationship with Our Father! Religion does not teach that! Religion
says ‘ follow this law and that law’ and you ‘may’ be saved! If we stick
with religion we will make the same mistake as the Jews of old did, we
will ‘crucify’ GOD again! We will ‘miss the point’ yet again…… God is
NOT to be argued and we are NOT to ‘defend’ Him! He can do that quite
well by Himself. By “ Himself” He created everything!
Br Tony Part one of?
=========================================================================
>She Didn't Have to Care Story Editor:
by Anonymous Joyce Schowalter
USA
I am a divorced 26-year-old, a single mother of one 4-year-old son who
is precocious but has a speech problem. Until August of 2006, we were
renting a second home my mother owns. Normally, you would assume that
things would work out well with such an arrangement -- but you see, my
mother is a severe alcoholic.
Mother decided to sell her primary home and move into the rental home
we're living in. So now we have to go. There is limited time for us to
find a place to live.
It's made harder, since my credit is a ruin that would cause most people
to look down on me.
I have a good job that I've been with for years. But between bills and
other expenses, it has been difficult and slow going to pay off the
debts my ex-husband incurred that looped me into debt.
I went to a local apartment complex and met a wonderful woman I'll call
"Alice". She understood the situation, though I left out the bit about
my mother's alcoholism. Alice had been divorced when she was my age and
had young children at that time (all grown now, of course). We had a
chat together, and Alice made me easily smile in a time where there is a
lot of stress.
When my credit check came back, Alice's manager denied my application. I
will not be able to get that apartment. I was crushed; but this was not
the first denial so I guess it wasn't totally unexpected.
I offered more deposit, but there was nothing Alice could do to change
the situation. Then the following day I got an email.
It was from Alice, who must have gotten my email off the application.
She had attached a list of local apartment complexes for me to call. The
day after that, I got another email with a few more leads.
Later that day, Alice sent an email saying that if my mother continues
to be unreasonable with allowing us to remain, her family will gladly
help us with a place to stay for short-term.
I think I cried.
As of late August, I haven't found a place yet, but this one woman has
given me a great deal of hope.
I'm a perfect stranger to her. She only knows me from a few
conversations and very few emails. Yet, she and her family would open
their hearts and homes for my son and me -- I'm not used to that. My
mother has even required stipulations for us to stay in her house that
have made me uncomfortable.
However, this one woman has reached out and cares. Words cannot truly
express what this means to me, and I can only hope Alice sees this story
as a way of thanks.
She didn't have to care... but she did.
=======HeroicStories=======
>-->From SermondFodder: The Right Recipe
Wanting to please and surprise her parents, young Karen decided to bake
a batch of cookies. She paged through mom's recipe book excitedly
looking for something that mom and dad would find special. "Ah! Here is
just the right one!" Karen exclaimed as she quickly scanned the list of
ingredients. Unfortunately, Karen looked too rapidly since, by time she
came to one of the most necessary ingredients, two cups of apple sauce,
she soon learned they had none. "Oh dear!" she thought, "Now what should
I do?"
Karen scratched her head a moment then began searching the kitchen
frantically for a convenient substitute. Her eyes immediately fell upon
the large bottle of apple cider vinegar mom had in the 'fridge.
Karen immediately went back to work; mixing, baking and cooling the
special treat she had prepared for her parents.
After a nice spaghetti and meatballs dinner, Karen ran to the cabinet,
grabbed her plate of cookies, and set them before her family with a huge
ear to ear smile. Of course, they eagerly dug in as they were very
pleased with their daughter's thoughtfulness. In an instant, smiles
turned to odd-looking grimaces. When mother spit her bite out in to her
napkin, Karen knew something was terribly wrong.
Karen went on to explain how she didn't have all the proper ingredients
so replaced one for another. "I guess it didn't turn out quite as I
expected," she said quietly as she stared down at floor.
In similar manor, sin is a wrongful and bitter ingredient that may exist
in our own lives. We may have the best of intentions, but when we try to
mix evil with good, and corruption with righteousness, the end result is
poisonous, not only our spiritual welfare, but emotional and oftentimes,
our physical bodies, as well.
God calls us to purity, so we must remove the rancid effect of sin from
our lives by calling on the Lord for forgiveness within the spirit of
repentance. That, my dear friends, is the right recipe for a brand new
start in the family of Christ!
Contributed by Melanie Schurr © 2005 Melanie Schurr
Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to
have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking
in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection
of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day."
For more information, visit her web page at
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr
=======================================================================
>-->Spring Break: COLOURED COOKIES
The following recipe, that my sister and I altered from a "Five Roses
Cook Book", eliminates the need for icing as decoration. Children LOVE
making and eating these cookies. (They don't seem to mind that they
taste just okay but not great, because they are very attractive on a
plate with the other standard sugar cookies, shortbreads,
gingersnaps....)
(\ ==== /) oven at 375F
( \(__)/ ) 8-10 minutes
( /<>\ )
(\/\/) 1 c. sugar
/ \ 3/4 c. shortening
/ \
~~~~~~ 2 eggs (beaten)
2 tsp. orange peel
(\ === /) 1 c. flour
( \(o)/ ) 3 tsp. baking powder
( / \ ) 1/2 tsp. salt
([|])
/ \ 1/3 c. milk
/ \ 1/2 tsp. vanilla
~~~~~
3/2 c. flour (that's one and a half cups)
(\ ==== /)
( \(__)/ ) Cream sugar & shortening. Add eggs & orange peel.
( /_|\ ) Mix in a separate bowl the flour/b.p./salt. Add
( |/) only 1 c. of flour mix to sugar/short/egg/oran bowl.
/ A\ Add milk and vanilla.
/ \
~~~~~~ Divide EVENLY into 5 bowls. Mix food colouring into
4 bowls, leaving one white. (B: we recommended
(\ ==== /) to ourselves to have one and a half bowls of white
( \(__)/ ) and half a bowl of blue.) Put remaining flour (two
( / ------ and a half cups: 5 x 1/2c.= 1/2 c. per bowl) evenly
(\/ /) into the 5 bowls. (or 1/4 c. for the blue bowl and
/ \ 3/4 c. for the white bowl and 1/2 c. for the others)
/ \
~~~~~~ BLM: READ the handle of the measuring cup FIRST
before there are many tears of frustration.
(\ ==== /)
( \(__)/ ) EJM: DON'T add red to make a better blue.
( / oo--: LISTEN for the timer bell so that the orchestra and
(\m/ ) choir of angels doesn't turn out mahogany brown.
/ \
/ \ oven at 375F
~~~~~~ ungreased cookie sheet 8-10 minutes
ASCII-art angels by JV/ejm
Press the dough out to about 1/4 inch depth and using cookie cutters,
cut into shapes. Use the other colours like plasticine to decorate. We
have made little dogs with holly on their collars, angels playing
instruments, Christmas trees, Santas, Initials decorated with holly for
each child receiving the cookies, etc. etc. Try not to handle the dough
TOO much; the cookies get quite hard and tough (although, as I said,
kids don't seem to mind). We use little cookie cutters so the cookies
themselves end up being no bigger than one or two inches.
======================================================================
>-->CROCUS RISING by Lauren Strouse
Winter was a new experience after we moved to the farm from Black Lake.
It seemed colder, longer, and more isolating. We couldn't run
across the street to meet our friends for a day of ice skating or
sledding. There was no large group of kids to play with as we waited
for the school bus. Our closest neighbors were now a quarter of a
mile away.
My brother and sister and I waited alone in the cold at the top
of our driveway for the school bus. We did have hills to slide on,
but no lake for skating or fishing -- the closest ice rink was five
miles away in Carver.
The first winter we spent at the farm was especially difficult.
My mother developed pneumonia at Christmas time and it took her a
long while to recover.
Minnesota winters can be brutal and I remember that one as
especially cold. There were short episodes of being snowed in,
waiting for several days for the county plows to get to our little
road. We all went a bit stir crazy and were more than ready for
spring.
March finally rolled around. The snow was melting and on days
when the sun was shining the air hinted at warmer weather. But March
was a capricious month.
One day the breeze would be warm and balmy and you might even
catch sight of a robin, the next it would be gray and threatening
snow.
One Sunday afternoon while my father was trying to nap, my
siblings and I were encouraged to go for a hike. We decided on Birch
Hill as our destination. It was far enough away to keep us out of
doors for several hours, but not such a lengthy walk that Cass, my
six year old sister, would get tired half way there.
Things were a bit wet and muddy, but most of the snow was gone.
We started off through the open alfalfa field, making our way to the
adjoining meadow. The sun shone with the soft light of spring,
making everything seem muted and fuzzy around the edges. Fluffy
white clouds were scattered across the pale blue sky.
A slight breeze ruffled our hair, now free of winter's wool
stocking caps. We could see the faintest hint of green beneath last
year's dead meadow grass and buds were just beginning to swell on the
red dogwood branches. Bird songs filled the air and everything
smelled of new life.
We had never before paid attention to the all of the changes
spring brings. The meadow sloped gently upwards, rising gradually,
and suddenly the bright white trunks of the birch trees were visible.
The small grove of white paper birch looked slightly out of place,
almost as though the trees had been intentionally planted there. No
other birch trees could be found anywhere else on the property, just
this small grove in the midst of cotton woods, oaks, and elms.
As we approached the grove it appeared as though there were
purple balls scattered beneath the trees, even on top of the patches
of snow, but upon closer inspection we realized the purple balls were
actually flowers -- tiny, velvet, upside down purple bells carpeted
the ground beneath the trees.
We were amazed. We had never seen flowers in the snow.
My little sister immediately wanted to pick some to take to my mother.
"No," I said, "Let's bring mother here. Let's surprise her with
the first spring flowers!"
My brother and sister agreed this was a good idea. We hurried
back home as fast as we could through the final remnants of snow,
last years soggy grass, and the muddy field.
When we arrived, we excitedly told our mother that we had a
surprise to show her. We knew that mother would have excuses so we
let Cass do the begging since she was the baby of the family.
After much cajoling, my mother reluctantly agreed. She pulled
on her ratty old winter car coat and her black rubber boots and off
we went. It wasn't easy trying to hurry through the mud in the
alfalfa field, but soon we were in the meadow and approaching Birch
Hill.
When my mother saw the flowers she just stopped and stared, then
let out a quiet awestruck "oohh."
Saying nothing, she began to walk very carefully beneath the
trees looking at the tiny flowers. We followed silently in her
footsteps. It felt like we were in church.
"What are they Mama?" Cass asked in a near whisper.
"They're crocuses," my mother answered softly, "tough little
flowers that will bloom even in the snow -- nature's spring miracle."
It was then I noticed tears glistening on my mother's cheeks.
"Are you ok, Mama?" I asked a little worried.
"Yes, honey," she answered smiling, "I'm just so very happy you
shared this special surprise with me."
From that point on, a pilgrimage to find the crocuses became a
yearly rite of spring until I grew up and moved away.
Sometimes we all went together, sometimes my mother went alone
or I did, especially during moody adolescence, but each year we
eagerly awaited that first miracle of the season.
-- Lauren Strouse
___________________________________________
Lauren was born and raised in Minnesota and has lived in Fairfield,
California, for the past 27 years. She's married and has two grown
daughters and a Cocker Spaniel, Rockie. She loves to read, write,
cook, entertain, garden, camp, and listen to music among other things.
====================================================================
>Then An Angel Appeared Story Editor:
by Linda Conklin Joyce Schowalter
California, USA
I was driving. It was midnight. I was lost. Suddenly I heard a load
noise and I was blind. Everything was white. An hour, or maybe a minute
later I reached out and touched white and it resisted, then quickly
became soft like a cloud. It folded and dropped. The air smelled burnt.
Understanding dawned: airbag smoke. An accident? I lowered the automatic
windows to let smoke out and warm air in. I thought, "Don't be afraid."
Then an angel appeared, next to my window. She was dressed in white,
with a white scarf across her throat and down her back, rather like
folded wings. She spoke in a soft voice. "Are you OK?" Yes. "Are you
drunk?" No. "High?" No. "Can you drive?" Yes. "You must leave now."
What?! -- I'm lost.
"Listen you must roll up your windows. Can you do that?" Confused, I
fumbled for controls in the unfamiliar rental car, noticing young men
gathering around the passenger side. Though thinking rolling up the
window might appear rude to them, I did as I was told. I was no longer a
professional woman in control of her life. I was a middle-aged
woman-child in a strange city at night in a scary situation. I was
vulnerable; at the mercy of strangers.
"Your back window is down. Roll it up!" she commanded. She raised her
voice, "Nothing for you to see. Everyone's all right. I'm handling
this." She asked where I was going; I gave the hotel's name.
She turned to a shadow who looked like he wanted to escape. "He'll give
you directions". From the other side came, "Hey lady, I can tell you how
to get there." She said, "Don't listen to them."
To them, she said "I'm taking care of her, you don't need to hang
around. There's nothing to see." Her escort nervously gave me
directions. She made me repeat them. Then, "If you can drive, go! Now!"
I thanked her and went!
Finally in my hotel room, I began to shake. Was I really in danger? She
and her companion believed so. She put herself at risk to help me, a
stranger. And by confronting the young men, made herself the focus of
attention instead of me. How easy it would have been for her to look the
other way, watch from the sidewalk or call 911, tell herself she'd done
her part and walk away. What courage it to confront the men she
obviously regarded as dangerous.
I think of her as an angel. That thought struck me when I saw her next
to me in her white dress. But I know she's more than an angel, she's an
extraordinary woman of courage, who put herself in danger for a complete
stranger.
I often wonder if I can measure up to the standard she has set, if I'm
called upon to be an angel for someone else. I can only hope that the
memory of her courage will be enough.
=======HeroicStories=======
>-->The Maestro at His Best
________________________
///\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\/\\\
//\{}//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//{}/\\
///&%&%&%&/~~~~~~~~~~~~\&%&%&%&\\\
||&%&%&_.' '._&%&%&||
||&%''' '''%&||
||&%& ~c &%&||
||&%& o )____ <)\/ &%&||
||&%& /_=-/_____| /\ &%&||
ejm97 ||&%&& ( /\.| | /~/ &&%&||
______||&%&&======================&&%&||______
When the famous violinist Paganini played a concert in one of
the great halls of Europe, it was equivalent to the draw of a
modern rock concert. The story is told of one such night in Paris.
As Paganini appeared on the stage, the excited buzz of the
audience turned to expectant applause. But as the maestro
began to play, a string broke on his exquisite violin. Any concern
passed quickly as the artist picked up the tune on his remaining
three strings. Unbelievably, another string snapped - followed
moments later by a third string. Now the buzz in the audience
was more anxious, even disgruntled, it wasn't expectant
anymore. But the old maestro just raised his hand, calling for
silence. As the audience became quiet again, he made a simple
announcement - "Ladies and gentlemen - Paganini - and one
string." What followed was easily the most amazing musical
performance that crowd had ever seen, or ever would see - as
the master played a rich and flawless melody - on one string.
When did the master most powerfully demonstrate his skill?
When he had the least to work with - one string. When does the
Lord Jesus - our Master - most powerfully demonstrate how
much He can do? When He has the least to work with. When our
strings are broken and we have almost nothing left - that's when
He plays His masterpieces.
That's what the great Apostle Paul learned when virtually all the
strings of his life had broken. His testimony is in 2 Corinthians
12:7-10, our word for today from the Word of God. Paul had been
given some spiritual revelations that no man had ever
experienced before. He says, "To keep me from becoming
conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations,
there was given me a thorn in my flesh ... Three times I pleaded
with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My
grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in
weakness.'"
Because Paul experiences God's power the most when he has
nothing left, he says, "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me ...
For when I am weak, then I am strong." Why? Because the less
there is of you, the more there is of God - and the more of His
power you experience. Which actually can make you, much like
Paul, really greet your hard times, your hurting times with a
sense of expectancy instead of dread or discouragement. Not
that you like the pain, but you realize what that pain can produce.
And all through it, you have God's unbreakable promise, "My
grace is sufficient for you."
Our weakness means an opportunity for a display of His
strength, His glory ... a chance to experience God's ability to heal,
to intervene, to carry you. Malcolm Muggeridge, the brilliant
British journalist who gloriously came to Christ late in life, put it
this way: "Everything I have learned in my seventy-five years in
this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened
my existence, has been through affliction and not through
happiness."
So maybe most of your strings have broken and you're down to
one string. That's the moment when the Maestro is at His very
best. He lovingly holds you in His arms and says, "Almighty God
- and one string." He's about to play somethhing beautiful,
something unforgettable, something amazing through your life.
==
Today's Daily Wisdom is written by Ron Hutchcraft, based on his
popular radio broadcast, "A Word With You" which can be found
at: http://www.gospelcom.net/rhm/awwy/awwymenu.htm
=================================================================
>-->The Blood of Jesus"
____ ____
/ + \ || || /+ . \
|o x.| =**= _ =**= | o x|
|____| || _( )_ || |____|
|| /_____\ ||
______________//| |/__________________
______^________/ | + | /____^_____
_U_ / |___| // _U_
| /_______________________________________// |
/|\ |______________________________________|/ /|\
====================) . . (==========================)
|/| . . | |
| | . . | |
________________________|/|. . ||------------------------||
====================) || . . (==========================|
|/| . . | |
| | . . | |
_____________________|/|. . ||------------------------||
=================) || . . (==========================)
|/| . . | |
| | . . | |
_________________|/|. . | ________________________ |
|| . . || -Steve Stewart- ||
One night in a church service a young woman
felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded
to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord
and Savior. [Romans 10:9,10]
The young woman had a very rough past, involving
alcohol, drugs and prostitution But, the change in
her was evident. As time went on she became a
faithful member of the church. She eventually
became involved in the ministry, teaching young
children.
It was not very long until this faithful young woman
had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.
The relationship grew and they began to make
wedding plans.
This is when the problems began. You see, about
one half of the church did not think that a woman
with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's
son. The church began to argue and fight about the
matter. So they decided to have a meeting.
As the people made their arguments and tensions
increased, the meeting was getting completely out
of hand. The young woman became very upset
about all the things being brought up about her
past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to
speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing
his wife-to-be.
He began to speak and his statement was this:
"My fiancé's past is not what is on trial here.
What you are questioning is the ability of the blood
of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the
blood of Jesus on trial.
Does it wash away sin or not?" The whole church
began to weep as they realized that they had been
slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past
and use it as a weapon against our brothers and
sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part
of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood
of Jesus does not cleanse the other person
completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.
If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the
blood of Jesus! End of case!!!
Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall
sustain you. He shall never suffer the righteous to
be moved." Psalm 55:23
===========================================================
>-->"God will Never..."
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
--Author Unknown
---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSE :)Shangy!
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http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/
Shangrala
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We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with
all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806
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-->This is for all you who love food and DARRE to make it at home Yep.
You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy,
good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :)
Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes:
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Home Recipes
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-->Missed Any of These Teachings? 'BABES IN CHRIST','IN The Beginning',
'Crossing The Line','NEVER Give Up', 'FEAR - Feeling Kind Of Buggy',
'HAUNTINGS', 'Christianity And The Renewed Mind', or 'Curse Of The Law'
--BE SURE TO Tell me which one you want or yyou'll get them all :)
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