Making Resurrection Cookies is a tangible way to teach your young children about the Resurrection of Christ. I received a basic recipe for this but have expounded upon it. I hope that this can be a blessing to your family as you celebrate the Resurrection of Christ Jesus!

These are to be made the evening before Resurrection Sunday.

ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar

you will also need:
ziplock bags
wooden spoon
masking tape
Bible

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.

1. Explain how we are all sinners and are in need of a Savior.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Jesus has come to be the Savior of sinners.

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

2. Place pecans in a ziplock bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Jesus was beaten and bruised for us, for our sins.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

John 19: 1-3 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.

John 19: 16-18 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

3. Let each child smell and taste the vinegar. Place 1 tsp. vinegar into the mixing bowl. When Jesus hung upon the cross and was thirsty He was given vinegar or sour wine to drink.

John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

4. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life to give those who believe eternal life.

John 10: 10-11 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste the salt and then brush the rest into the bowl. Jesus' followers wept salty tears as they mourned His death.

Luke 23:27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.

This also can represent the bitterness of our own sin for which He died.

Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.

Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. We can now add the cup of sugar. There is a sweet part of this story. The sweetness is the love, grace, and mercy of God. He willingly gave His life for those who believe.

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

John 3: 16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

7. Beat on high with a mixer for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The white color of the peaks represents the purity of Christ's righteousness through which God sees those who believe and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

1 John 3:1-3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is purifies himself as he is pure.

8. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Matthew 27:57-60 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

9. 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 closed.

Matthew 27:65-66 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

10. Jesus' followers were in despair as the tomb was sealed.

John 16: 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

John 16: 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Go to bed and leave the cookies in the taped oven.

11. On the morning of Resurrection Sunday, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow. Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Matthew 28:1-9 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

1 Corinthians 15:55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness, recipes, Resurrection Sunday

Yesterday was a bit of a crazy day. Not that it was overwhelming busy but because of the emotion of it on top of the busyness. Two of our children had Bible Quiz and Awana Games yesterday. Awana is such a great program; it teaches believers to reach higher and to reach out with the love of Christ. We had to get all of us out the door by 7 am and drive an hour to the location where they were held. We arrived home around 3 pm.

I am again reaching out for the hand of the Great Physicians to bring healing to our home. We once again have illness within our household. I think we picked something up the last time we went to the doctor's office. I now have several children with fevers and coughs. I will have to assess the situation this morning before I decide if we are well enough to go to worship. I pray we will be able to make it, I need to spend some time, reaching out and lifting up praise and thanksgiving to my Lord in corporate worship. If we do go, we will be going without my husband because Hubby is on call today at the hospital. He left early this morning and will not be home until sometime tomorrow morning.

Another reason that I really need to go is because I have an important prayer need to share. My regular readers will remember that my grandmother passed away about a month ago. I received this information from my father, whom I have not seen in over 20 years. He called again yesterday shortly after we arrived home from the Awana events.

He is having heart surgery on Monday, February 25th. Please pray for him. I spoke with him for probably two hours. I could tell he was very nervous about the whole situation. I am dealing with some emotions that I cannot even describe. He asked if I could ever forgive him for not being there when I was a child (in a round about way). I told him I had. I had an eerie feeling that he was trying to make peace before the surgery on Monday and that he is not convinced (by other things he said) that he will survive. He is also not a Christian. We spoke about this a bit and he simply said he just cannot believe. But jokingly said maybe on Monday he would.

I am dealing with finally beginning to have a relationship with a father I barely know and the possibility of loosing him right away, and knowing that he is not a believer. This is distressing in a way that I am still unable to put into words.

Please pray for him. I feel as if he is reaching out but is still unable to grasp the only thing that can save him. I pray that in his reaching out; the Spirit will quicken his heart to believe and that he will grab onto and cling to Christ. When we are in need, reaching out and calling upon the name of the Lord is our only rescue and our only refuge. Praise be to God!!!

If you would like to lift others up in prayer, here is a list of prayer requests.

Labels: Family, Forgiveness, journal, Prayer

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. (Proverbs 17:9-10)

I have been pondering these verses the last few days, since the Lord brought them to my attention. No one is perfect, least of all me, I have never claimed to be. I am, however, an individual of self- evaluation. I am constantly evaluating my life, my actions, and my motives. I strive to live in obedience to Christ in all things. Yet, I have failed over and over again. Each failure shows me my continued need for my Savior. The truth is, we all fail. As Christians we are to spur one another on to good deeds, but we are also to hold each other accountable and to rebuke our brothers and sisters in Christ so that they might come to repentance when they sin.

If an individual is one of understanding as mentioned in verse 10, the rebuke will go deep causing them to evaluate their life in light of scripture. If repentance is needed they will do so. The fool can receive a hundred blows without impacting their life in such a way as to bring about repentance, but one of understanding will evaluate their life at a single rebuke to see if they are indeed living in obedience to the Lord.

Does holding one accountable conflict with what is said above about covering up of an offense? Of course not! This is not meant as a "cover-up" and to look the other way. The rest of the verse explains what is meant. When rebuking another who is in sin there are guidelines in scripture; they are provided in the book of Matthew. We are not to over look sin in such a way that it is ignored; but are to deal with it biblically. We are not to spread that sin around and make it known to just anyone and everyone. Simply put, we are not to broadcast another's sin or failings. This is not the scriptural way to deal with sin and offenses, whether real or perceived.

Unfortunately there are many ways to spread gossip today. There are conversations in person, telephone, email, and even blogging. We must be careful exactly what we say and to whom. If we are dealing with a situation and are in need prayer and support, that can be achieved. I am not saying we do not need confidants or not to seek godly wisdom. Things can be shared without all of the "juicy details" given and discretion is required from whom we seek this council. One of the most common ways that Christians tend to spread gossip is in the form of a simple prayer request. We must guard our words and how much we share with others and it must never have malicious motives. This is an area where self evaluation is needed in abundance.

In essence, we are to handle things according to the word and not according to the gossip line. If there is an issue, present it with scripture to the individual rather than gossiping with others about it. If they are with understanding, the Spirit will move them to self-evaluation. If repentance is indeed required they will do so. If they are devoid of understanding, to continue would merely be wasting blows upon the fool.

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness

I just love how the Lord confirms things to us through many different people when we need encouragement the most! Last week I posted for my Thursday Thirteen post some resolutions for the new year and beyond. One of those resolutions was to move beyond my past sins that the Lord has forgiven and not let them hold me back. Even if they are brought up by others to not let it hinder my growth. This can be a very difficult thing to do at times. The very same day my dear friend Valerie, a blogging buddy who has been such a blessing to me, posted a great post entitled "Cleansed by Grace." Here is a snippet...

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleans us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9NKJ)

When you step into a mud puddle, do you become mud or muddy? You become muddy. You don’t turn into the substance of mud. You simply get a little dirty. It’s nothing that a foot washing can’t cure.

Likewise, once you and I have been cleansed from our past, present, and future sins through Jesus Christ, we become a clean, brand new person. Once in a while, we’re going to trip up and step into sin, but that doesn’t mean we become the old person that we once were. No, it means we simply need a foot washing.

To read the remainder click here.

I also had a reader, DrillerAA, leave an encouraging comment concerning this very thing. DrillerAA stated:

That guilt thing about past sins is coming from the father of lies. Reading His Word and hiding it in your heart will cure that issue, but it is a daily battle. Each day you have to put on the whole armor of God. If you leave a piece off, that is where the attack will come from.

We can rest in the fact that Christ forgives those who repent and we can move forward. If we dwell on others rather than Christ we will remain frozen and fail to grow in grace. I found a quote that speaks volumes to this and wanted to share that also.

Years of repentance are necessary in order to blot out a sin in the eyes of men, but one tear of repentance suffices with God. French Proverb

Let me encourage you. When failings come and we sin, seek the Lord, repent, perform whatever acts of restitution you can, and move forward. God forgives with abounding grace and mercy. Rest in that.

Read more on forgiveness.

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness

God definitely uses our children to teach us if only we will listen. We had an incident occur around Thanksgiving that caused some hurt feelings, especially for my children. One of my daughters who was trying not to cry looked at me and said, "We have to try not to grow bitter because of this."

This bitterness is something I have struggled with all of my life. I did not have an easy childhood and have many hurts in my 35 years. Most of the time it has been in dealing with those I love. It is hard to not grow bitter or to let the hurts build upon each other. I have posted several times in the last month or so on forgiveness. This is not because I have it down so I need to share, it is because it is something that I often struggle with myself. Even when I forgive there still is healing that needs to take place in my heart. Sometimes things hurt and just because we forgive does not mean that the pain is automatically washed away. Here is where things get tricky. People say forgiveness is the hardest thing to do. I think it is even harder to keep bitterness from creeping in as we heal from our hurts.

Only the Lord can bring about the healing of the heart, no matter what circumstance we are in. Depending on the Lord for our strength and comfort is what is required. I ask God to soften my heart so that it is pliable in the Master's hands as He molds me into who He created me to be, refining and burning out the impurities. Healing me from hurts and bitterness so that I am able to serve Him with a clean and pure heart.

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness

There have been many times since my husband entered into the ministry field that we have endured our share of grief. There have been tremendous blessings also. Any pastor or pastor's wife, if honest, will tell you that the ministry field even though it is filled with blessing also comes with an abundance of sorrow. There are many reasons for this but I only want to tackle one of them in this posting.
Ministers are held to a higher standard, which they absolutely should be, it is a biblical truth. However, ministers and their wives are still sinners saved by the grace of God Almighty alone.

I heard a sermon several years ago which dealt with the sin of idolatry. The idol spoken of was that of other people's opinions. There is a John Calvin quote which has stuck with me to this day.

"Every one of us is, even from his mother's womb, a master craftsman of idols”.
John Calvin

One area in which men tend to form idols is with their leaders. Leaders are to be looked up to; we all need good role models. The problem arises when we focus more on the messenger of God than on God himself. There, of course, needs to be balance. I have seen both extremes; some have no honor or respect for the ministerial position yet others expect their ministers to be perfect. We are to hold God's ministers in high regard, only remember they are not God. When ministers are given the proper respect and honor due their position without being held to an unattainable standard they can flourish in the ministry placed upon them by the Lord without the added sorrow of unattainable perfection.

In my readings this week I came across an amazing quote. I want to share that here today.

Ministers are noteworthy of their calling. All preachers are vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy. In fact, the more faithful preachers are to the Word of God in their preaching, the more liable they are to the charge of hypocrisy. Why? Because the more faithful people are to the Word of God, the higher the message is they will preach. The higher the message, the further they will be from obeying it themselves.
I cringe inside when I speak in churches about the holiness of God. I can anticipate the responses of the people. They leave the sanctuary convinced they have just been in the presence of a holy man. Because they hear me preach about holiness, they assume I must be as holy as the message I preach. That's when I want to cry, "Woe is me."
It's dangerous to assume that because a person is drawn to holiness in his study that he is thereby a holy man. There is irony here. I am sure the reason I have a deep hunger to learn of the holiness of God is precisely because I am not holy. I am a profane man- a man who spends more time out of the temple than in it. But I have had just enough of a taste of the majesty of God to want more. I know what it means to be a forgiven man and what it means to be sent on a mission. My soul cries for more. My soul needs more.
R.C. Sproul Sr., The Holiness of God

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Sermons

This seems a basic lesson for us but maybe for others it is not. How many times have you had your children apologize for a wrong they have committed? Many I am sure. One thing we have taught our children is to also name the sin for which they are apologizing. This is an attempt at removing the non -repentance of a simple I'm sorry type of apology or an apology that only says I'm sorry I was caught.

We also go a step further. After an apology has been given we ask the one offended to forgive and the forgiven one to say thank you. This may seem trivial to some or just plain unnecessary but I think it is a very important lesson to teach. Children need to learn to be forgiving, sometimes we do not always feel like forgiving one another but it is something that we need to learn to do. People will always disappoint us, we need to have a forgiving spirit.

Colossians 3:13b if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Another reason that we have our children say the actual words, "I forgive you", is that these words offer a finality.

Webster 1828 1. To pardon; to remit, as an offense or debt; to overlook an offense, and treat the offender as not guilty. The original and proper phrase is to forgive the offense, to send it away, to reject it, that is, not to impute it, [put it to] the offender. But by an easy transition, we also use the phrase, to forgive the person offending.

Once you have forgiven someone you cannot pull that up and sling it at them once more. Those words should be binding. It is also a way to protect yourself from bitterness. Have you ever been in a tense situation only to have your past wrongdoings thrown back in your face? For someone to simply say things like: "I am sure you are sincere" or "Thank you for your apology", is not the same as offering forgiveness. This still leaves one wondering, there is power in the word and action of forgiveness. What if God were to only say to sinners: "I am sure you are sincere" or "Thank you for your apology", it would not be enough, sinners need to be forgiven. As Christians we are to be like Christ. We are to be a forgiving people.

This is what I am attempting to teach my children. How do you teach your children to have a forgiving heart?

Labels: Family, Forgiveness, Train Up a Child

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness, Thursday Thirteen

I know I have posted about Sons of Korah before but I absolutely love how they put music to the Psalms. Please take a moment to listen and be blessed. The words to Psalm 130 are below if you want to follow along.

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness, Saturday Psalm and Praise, Videos

HUMIL'ITY, n. [L. humilitas.]

1. In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.

2. Act of submission.

With these humilities they satisfied the young king.

In today's culture humility is often a virtue that is frowned upon. It is also a virtue that is hard to maintain. Humility is a fleeting thing. The moment you think you are humble you have ceased to be so. Ironically, according to scripture those who are humble are the ones that receive honor. There is great reward to the one who has a humble spirit. Humility is a virtue that adults should pursue as well as model for and teach to our children.

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Homeschooling, Thursday Thirteen, Train Up a Child

Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt as if no one really knew who you were? Maybe even someone close to you? There is One who knows my heart and this brings great comfort in times of trial. I am glad that the Lord Jesus knows my heart and that it belongs to Him.

John 10:1-4, 14
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his
voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

1 Samuel 16:7b
God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Kings 8:39
then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind)

2 Chronicles 6:30-31
then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of men), so that they will fear you and walk in your ways all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers.

Labels: Christianity, Forgiveness

As followers of Christ we are called to be like Him. Through the power of the Spirit at work within us and through the Word, old things are passing away and all are becoming new. This however, does not mean that we do not stumble and fall. We will sin. Even Paul says:

Romans 7:19
For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

So if as Christians we still sin, even those who appear to be the most godly among us will still stumble and sin. Where do we go? We can turn to our Heavenly Father for forgiveness. We serve a merciful, loving, and forgiving God.

I John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God is not like others on this earth. When He offers forgiveness, it is not conditional. He chooses not to remember them and doesn't dredge them up to lay upon you again the next time you fall. With God forgiven means forgiven.

Jeremiah 31:34b
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Because of Jesus, because He took the punishment for my sin and for yours, for those who believe, God sees Jesus when He looks upon us. Our transgressions are removed from us.
They were placed upon Christ at Calvary.

Psalm 103:11-12
For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

The next time you fail, stumble, fall, & sin. Let us remember there is the One True God, who is not only just, but is loving, merciful, kind, and forgiving. His forgiveness is everlasting.

In our endeavor to be like Christ we must also remember to be forgiving to others as well.

2 Corinthian 2:5-11
Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Forgiveness

I was listening to the radio,K-Love, this morning as the family was getting ready for Worship. One of the songs which played is a newer one and is quickly becoming one of my favorites. It is called I'm not Who I Was by Brandon Heath. This song encapsulates what happens to us when Christ takes over our lives, we are no longer who we once were but are being conformed to the beautiful image of Christ!

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Here are the words to the song.....

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was


I Praise God every day that I am not who I once was! Hope you have a blessed Lord's Day today!

Labels: Christianity, Encouragement, Forgiveness