THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

1 cup whole pecans

1 tsp. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch salt

1 cup sugar

Plastic baggie

Wooden spoon

Tape

Bible

Preheat oven to 300°.

Place pecans in baggie and beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested and He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Open the vinegar and let everyone smell it. Put 1 tsp. into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, all He was given to drink was vinegar. 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 person's hand. Let them taste it, then 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 the sugar and 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 mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents our purity in God's eyes because our sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18.

Fold in nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets lined with wax paper. 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 shut. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

You're done! Explain that you cannot eat the cookies tonight, but that you have to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. That might not make anyone too happy. Explain that Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the  cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the third day, Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Enjoy the cookies and relate to life's daily blessings through God's love and grace - noted especially on this holiest of days!

The Dogwood

Good friend, do you know the symbol
Of the blooming dogwood tree?
A beautiful old-time legend,
as the story was told to me.

Once the dogwood was as mighty
As any great tree of the wood;
As strong as the oak was its timber,
For manifold purpose good.

And thus it had come to be chosen
For the wood of the Master's cross,
That should stand on the rugged hilltop
With its burden of sorrow and loss.

And the dogwood tree was saddened
To be called for such cruel lot,
And it asked that the shameful service
By the world might be soon forgot.

Then the Lord in His pity, hearing
The sorrowful little plea,
Gave a tender, loving answer
To the prayer of the dogwood tree.

For "Never again" was His verdict,
"Shall the tree grow strong and tall,
And he who a cross would fashion
Nevermore for its wood shall call.

"Henceforth shall its trunk be slender,
And twisted its branches all,
But the shaping of every blossom
Shall the form of a cross recall.

"At the edge of each tender petal
Shall the prints of the nails appear,
And a thorny cross in the center
Make the sign and its meaning clear."

So now when the springtide flowering
Brings the dogwood again to view,
As we joy in its woodland beauty
May our hearts keep the legend too.

And recall in the bloom the symbol
Of a sacrifice made complete,
And eternal life triumphant,
Holding death in a sure defeat.

by: R. Bell Chapman

The Jellybean Prayer

 Red is for the blood He gave

Green is for the grass He made

Yellow is for the sun so bright

Orange is for the edge of night

Black is for the sins we made

White is for the grace He gave

Purple is for the hour of sorrow

Pink is for a new tomorrow

A bag of jellybeans, colorful and sweet

It's a prayer.....It's a promise.....

Its an Easter treat

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This site originated on December 30, 1999