Bags O' Jelly Beans Giveaway

On Saturday, April 11th, our team went out in the community and passed out bags o' jelly beans. Along with the jelly beans we passed out cards with our version of what each color of the jelly bean represents:

Jelly Beans

Black – Represents the sin in all of us
- Romans 3:23

Red – Represents the blood He shed
– Hebrews 9:14

Yellow - Represents His light that fills the world – 2 Corinthians 4:6

Orange – Represents the warmth of His love
– Psalm 13:5-6

Green – Represents the growth that we all experience as His children – 1 Peter 2:1-3

Pink – Represents His overwhelming love for us
– John 3:16-17

Purple – Represents His royalty
- Philippians 2:9-11

White – Represents the cleansing that we receive from His death
– Psalm 51:1-2

This was such a fun opportunity to show God's love to people around the community. We were able to touch 345 lives with the true meaning of Easter- that's exciting! We had two teams going to grocery stores, shopping centers, the local library and to a community playground. The children were excited about getting jelly beans, but we found the adults and teens enjoyed them as well.

The rejection-rate was very low again. I would say around 3% said, "No" to receiving our Easter gift (approx. 10 people). On the greater side, there were good conversations and people wanting us to pray for their needs. That's what it's all about! Connecting with people and letting them know that God loves them.

Switching gears, here is something I want to share with you. It has been rolling through my mind these several weeks... My friend and his wife came to hand out the bags o' jelly beans. Now, they are both introverts. Being bold and talking to strangers is not their cup of tea. If you are an introvert, you understand the inward struggles- FEAR! Insecurities welt up inside you and the fear of rejection can be overwhelming.

This past year, my friends have really positioned themselves into looking past their personal fears in order to serve God and to show love to people around them. I place great respect on people like this more than those who are outgoing and gifted in public speaking. Why? Because they are willing to take risks despite their insecurities. They are willing to put God's purpose over their limitations. Their love for people supercedes their fears. I have learned much from them!

This verse is a perfect example on how we are to be dealing with fear: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,"

1 John 4:18a (NIV)

What are you doing today that takes risk?

People need God! If you don't put yourself out there, how will people come to know the Good News about God's love?

TODAY, tell someone, "God Loves You". Bake some goodies, mow someone's grass, pay for someone's meal at a fast food joint. Whatever it takes- let them know that God loves them!

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Funny Humor for Friday VIIII

Letters to a Pastor . . .

Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville.

Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert, Age 11, Anderson.

Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love, Patty. Age 10, New Haven

Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold. Yours truly,Annette. Age 9, Albany

Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.Loreen. Age 9. Tacoma

Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander. Age 10, Raleigh

Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.Joshua. Age 10, South Pasadena

Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished. Ralph, Age 11, Akron

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Signs Your Pastor Is Watching To Many Westerns. . .

* His sermon on Revelation is titled "Showdown at High Noon."
* At the end of the service, he replaces altar call with "roundup."
* Refers to the Deacons Meetings as "a campfire chat."
* Keeps referring to "brothers" as Hoss and Little Joe.
* Walks into the pulpit with a hearty, "Hi-Yo Silver"
* Always refers to his Bible as "My Six-Shooter."
*Forces ushers to tie bandanas around their faces and pass around ten-gallon cowboy hats instead of offering plates.
* When performing a wedding, he begins the ceremony with, "Howdy Pardners."
* Constantly threatens to preach well past "High Noon."
* He insists on being addressed as "Reverend Duke."
* Refers to the next churchwide fellowship dinner as "gathering around the chuckwagon."
* His new three-week sermon series: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."
* Asks for the song "Rawhide" to be sung as a call to worship.
* He keeps mumbling two words: "Holy Chaps!"

Courtesy of crosswalk.com

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"Clean Christian Comedy" - Kerri Pomarolli

Kerri Pomarolli
www.kerripom.com

When you think your family is embarrassing- she's got you beat!

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"Steve Harvey Introduces Jesus"

On a past "Steve Harvey Show", Steve imagines what it would be like if Jesus was a guest on his TV show. This is how Steve would introduce Jesus. It gets your blood pumping!
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He Has Risen!

Matthew 28

The Resurrection

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: 1-10, 16-20 (NIV)

HE HAS RISEN INDEED!

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The REAL Easter

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Prophet Isaiah reveals the events of the Christ, our Saviour in Isaiah 53. 600 years later, Jesus comes and fulfills the prophecy. Read John Chapters 18 & 19.

Jesus died for you, because He LOVES you very much!
Believe.
Witness the Truth.
Ask His forgiveness for your life.
Secure your life with Him- eternally.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13 (NIV)

If you would like to know more about how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Please click on "Who is Jesus" in the right column of this blog. It's a great video by Pastor Rick Warren explaining who Jesus is and how to have a relationship with Him.

Also, if you would like me to pray for you, please send me a personal e-mail: responding2u@gmail.com

Don't live another day without Him!

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Easter Story Cookies - A Great Tradition

As I have shared in the past, I have been really wanting to start new family traditions in our home. Two reasons: To remember what the holiday is truly about. To have something special our kids will remember and hopefully pass on for generations to come.

This is an article that I came across about making cookies that tells the story about Jesus' death and resurrection. Each deliberate step to making the cookies shares what Jesus went through when He died for us. This tradition will bring a deeper meaning to Easter and a new appreciation of what Jesus went through when eating these cookies. What a fun way to share the REAL Easter Story!

"Resurrection Cookies"

~ Also known as Easter Story Cookies ~

This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. That the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is not dead but has Risen. We serve a Risen Savior......

This activity can be done as a "family" or for Sunday School.

You will need:

1 cup whole pecans

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whitesa 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

Article from 95.5 The Fish

http://www.955thefish.com/Article.asp?id=1202284

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God's Power in Your Weakness

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

Don't limit God's power in your life by hiding your weaknesses. Cry out to him as the Apostle Paul did and tell Him you can't do it on your own. God doesn't promise to take your hardship and hurts away, but He does give you the power to get through it.

In your weakest moments turn all your griefs and pains over to Him and you will experience His great power on your life.

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God Cares for You

"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37:4-5 (NASB)

In my quiet time with God, I came across this great excerpt from Max Lucado's "The Great House of God". This message has impacted my outlook as to how God cares for His children.

"God is committed to caring for our needs. Paul tells us that a man who won't feed his own family is worse than an unbeliever (1Tim. 5:8). How much more will a holy God care for his children? After all, how can we fulfill his mission unless our needs are met? How can we teach or minister or influence unless we have our basic needs satified? Will God enlist us in his army and not provide a commissary? Of course not.

'I pray that the God of peace will give you everything you need so you can do what he wants' (Heb. 13:20). Hasn't that prayer been answered in our life? We may not have had a feast, but haven't we always had food? Perhaps there was no banquet, but at least there was bread. And many times there was a banquet." The Great House of God - Max Lucado

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