Friday, April 10, 2009

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. Today is the day in history where we remember the horrible agony our Savior went through for us. He was beaten, mocked, crucified. But he willing lay down his life, he gave up his spirit, so that we could be forgiven and receive eternal life. His perfect life given to pay the price for our sins.

It must have been a terrible day for his followers, disciples, mother, to see their loved one abused so. So today, we remember and mourn. But we know the rest of the story, so we don't have to be devastated. He rises up 2 days later (on the 3rd day), just as he said he would. And he continues to live and reign...forever!

Yes, it is Good Friday. But Sunday's coming!



Chatty Kelly

Thursday, April 9, 2009

30 x 5 Challenge


Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee has issued a challenge..."move it!" for 30, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. Here are my results via video, so you can SEE what I'm saying.

**No children were injured during the making of this film, contrary to background noises. (*grin*) **




Chatty Kelly

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Resurrection Cookies

We're busy in the midst of Spring Break here, so not a lot of time for blogging with wee ones at home all day. So here's something for you & the kids in your life.

This is a fun way to teach children the Easter story. Enjoy.

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

Praising God for the empty tomb today. Amen!

Chatty Kelly

Monday, April 6, 2009

Because of the Cross

Mrs Naz at Becoming Me is hosting a meme for readers to share "What Easter Means to Me."

As my regular readers know, I grew up in a home with a mentally ill mom. She raised us kids to believe in God and even sent us to Christian school. We went to church on Sundays as much as possible. But it seemed to more tradition that a living vibrant faith. Even when my mom did show some kind of living faith, it was usually messed up by the mental illness.

On Good Friday, my mom would sob and cry out "They're killing my Jesus!" As an adult I tried to explain to her, no they're not. They did on that Good Friday years ago crucify Jesus, but he is raised! He is not crucified again every Good Friday, no more than he becomes an infant again every Christmas. Still my mom would rant on his crucifixion. The interesting thing is, she never exhibited that same over-the-top jubilance on Easter Sunday, as she did sorrow on Good Friday.
How does this tie into what Easter means to me? While I love remembering on Easter Sunday that Jesus is risen, and singing the songs, it bothers me that some people only celebrate this on Easter. Jesus Christ is risen! Not just April 12 (Easter's date this year), but on April 13th too! We should be singing praises every day! Jesus is risen! Amen!

On Good Friday I think we should REMEMBER that Jesus WAS crucified. Watching the video depiction below literally brings me to tears because of what Jesus suffered. But he is suffering no more. No, he rules in Heaven and will return to rule on Earth. He is alive! And because Jesus is alive, we too will get to be alive. We will have eternal life with him.

Easter, Resurrection Sunday, means to me that I get to spend eternity with Jesus. Then I too will have no more pain or suffering or sadness. Joy to the World! The Lord has come...and is coming again! Celebrate Jesus' Resurrection everyday! Hallelujah!




Romans 8:11 -- And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Chatty Kelly

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Happy Birthday Sue J!


Today is Sue J's Birthday. God firmly placed Sue & I together as friends, even as we were both saying "What the???" Sue is quiet, I am LOUD. Sue is brown, I am hot pink. Sue is humble, I crave the spotlight. Yes, we are both addicted to coffee, and yes, we both have like-aged daughters. But really, God, really? Oh, that's the other thing. We both love Jesus so much.

I hate outside (it's all the dirt & bugs & stuff). Sue loves to garden. My playdates consist of me saying "go play" to the kids. Sue has themed playdates with crafts, snacks and games all following the theme.

I often wonder why Sue would have me as a friend. But, do you know why I have Sue as friend? Sue is everything I wish I was in a friend. She is truly thoughtful. If you mention something in passing, she remembers. She is the queen of the knock & run gift. See, she doesn't want the spotlight, she just wants you to know that you were thought of and loved. So she doesn't stay to get the thanks, she just leaves it on your porch, knocks and runs.

When I look at Sue, I often can see Jesus shining through. She is strong in that meek way. Yup, I know that's confusing. She faces challenges in her life with strength and dignity, but never says "look at me, look how I'm fighting!" and doesn't want a pat on the back.

Girlfriend, you are special. (this is where I should cue "The Wind Beneath My Wings.") Oh, that's the other thing about Sue...just when you have her pegged as serious, she will say something so funny that you nearly fall out of your chair. And it's clever funny. Not stupid funny like my stuff. :-)

So Happy Birthday Sue! You are thought of and loved. If I had your blog password, I'd hijack your blog. But instead, you'll just have to come over to my blog. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for being my friend!

Chatty Kelly