Easter Blessings ... :) Shangy! >-->Friday is Passover - Good Friday. _ xxxx _ /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ `-._`'`_/'`.-' `\ /` | / /-.( \_._\ \ \`; > |/ / // |// jgs \(\ `` 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 -<>- ________________________ /\ /\ / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \/ /~~. / \ \ //_/ / \ / \/ / \ / /\ \ / / /| \/ _/ / / --/ / / / / | ___/ / / / | _/ \/ \ \_ _________/ ---------------/ unknown >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 :) 8 8 8 8 $$$$$$$$$$$$$ 8 $$$$$$$$$$$$$ 8 $$$$$$$$$$$$$ 8 $$$$$$$$$$$$$ 8 $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$;;; ':$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$: ;;;$ $$$$$$:, ':$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:' .$$$$ $$$$$$$$. ':$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. ' :'$$$$$ ` : : $$$$$$$: '.$$ : ' :' 8 `: :.:$$$$: ;:$$:' : .' 8 `. . . .' . ' ' : 8 : . : .: ' 8 ` : . : . , 8 8 $' . . . . $ 8 $: :$ 8 8 $. .$ 8 $$: . :$$ $$$: .'$$ $$$ ' ` :$$ $$ :$ $$ : .$ $$. . $ $$$. .;$ $$$$$. ;$ $$$$$$. ,$$ $$$$$` $$$ $$$$$: `$$$ $$$$$, .$$$ $$$$$$. $$$ $$$$$$$. .$$$ $$$$$$$. .$$$ $$$$$$'. .$$ $$$$$$.. .$$$ $$$$$$$ .$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 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 | \ / .---. '-. | | .-' ___| |___ -= [ ] =- `---. .---' __||__ | | __||__ '-..-' | | '-..-' || | | || ||_.-| |-,_|| .-"` `"`'` `"-. 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! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. 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 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. 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