Creative Urges--5 Minutes for Faith

How do you express your creativity?

Do you paint or draw? Sing or sew? Dance or decorate? I used to think I wasn't creative--until I got a new perspective...I'm sharing more about it at 5 Minutes for Faith. I'd love if you'd stop by and let us know what you do when your creative juices are flowing!

Kids Inspiration--Resurrection Cookies

I'm re-running this recipe that I first posted two years ago. The older the boys get, the more I appreciate these simple, but meaningful activities that we can do together. In the past we made the breakfast rolls where you wrap crescent dough around a marshmallow, but I like how this one gives such a complete picture of Easter and incorporates more mystery.I found it on this site.  Whichever you may try, I hope you have a very blessed Resurrection Sunday.

Photo from Kids-Cooking-Activities.com

Empty Tomb Cookies

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

a pinch salt

1 cup sugar

a zipper baggy

1 wooden spoon

scotch tape

Bible

Instructions:

These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.

*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon

to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He

was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar

to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life

to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest

into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,

and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the

sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to

know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.

Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins

have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.

Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.

Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

5Minutes for Faith--Building on the Sand

This is what happens after days of rain (and years of pounding surf) have their way with a seaside highway. Notice what the road was built on?

Yep, sand.

A chunk of one of the most popular roads in California fell off into the ocean last month. It's an undeniable visual example of the song we used to sing in Sunday school, "the foolish man built his house upon the sand..."

I'm posting over at 5 Minutes for Faith today; stop by to see why it's not just homes and roads that need a solid foundation.

Go Take a Hike

This is what a January day in California is supposed to be like! 

Family time

                                    Vast vistas

Evidence of beasts...

                                          and bugs.

Endless blue skies.

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky,

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

You really can't out-give God

Thoughts of the small wad of bills in my coat pocket nagged at me as the offering plate passed. Yet another large pay-cut on the cusp of the new year creates a gravitational pull to hang on to what we have.

The sermon commenced, challenging us to decide whether we will choose fear or faith when faced with a crossroad. There was ample time to ponder the question as we concluded with communion.

In the final moments, the benevolence offering was taken--an opportunity to share with others in need. Grateful that our own hard times haven't resulted in the need to be recipients, I determined that I would contribute.

I pulled the cash from my pocket and separated the singles from the larger bill. I looked at the money in each hand, momentarily torn.

"You can't out-give God." No one spoke those words, but I heard them as clearly as though someone had.*

I put all the money in the basket as it passed. Feelings of expectancy (but not entitlement) filled the place in my heart where fear has been trying to gain a foothold. I could feel my faith growing stronger in that moment.

I picked up the boys from their classes and we got some lunch and waited for Hubs at a cozy little bookstore.

The boys alternated between building elaborate towers and searching for treasures among the books while I contented myself reading just a few more Christmas stories before they're put away for the season.

Hubs met us there, fresh from having lunch with a member of the church where he's been filling the pulpit for the past few months.

"The church gave us a generous check, kind of as a 'thank you,'" He said. It was very unexpected because they've already been gracious in paying him for his work on their behalf.

He couldn't have known that my smile came not from the value of God's provision, but because the evidence of the truth I heard as I gave my meager offering came much quicker (and more generously) than I expected.

So grateful--for the provision and the tangible reminder of Truth.

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

(*note--I don't believe in "giving to get," but I do know that God has always met our needs and I can get in the way of receiving His intended blessings--whether material or spiritual--because I withhold in fear rather than give in faith. I hope I will move forward doing the latter as opportunity presents.)

PS. On Saturday, God used these words from Renee Swope to bring my perspective back where it needs to be--circumstances and all. I hope they'll encourage you, too.

Happy New Year!

How it began...

Definitely a sign of good things to come!