What’s with the Eggs and Bunnies?

Pastel colored, cute, fuzzy, big, small, caramel, peanut butter and chocolate flavors will fill Easter baskets everywhere. Hats, gloves, shawls and shirley temple curls will be must have accessories.  This Sunday pews everywhere will be  filled with the best dressed bottoms they will be graced with all year long.  Family members and friends will make cameo appearances bright and early Sunday morning as if they were in a music video giving Jesus a shout out.  The occasion …Easter of course.

We love Easter because it is not only one of the most spiritual holidays, but a time for reflection and family to come together. It is the remembrance of Jesus’ rising from the dead, known as His Resurrection.  If you are anything like me, having grown up in church, you knew early on the significance of the resurrection and why Jesus rose from the dead.   I only knew that I was getting dressed up for Jesus and I would say a nice speech to let everyone know I knew what he had done for us all.

What I did not know however, was exactly where the bunnies and eggs came in.  Why and how did the eggs become pastel colored and how did they relate to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed each and every Easter egg hunt and the Cadbury bunnies that I got to enjoy.  My cousin even penned a song about the Easter bunny that over 20 years later, I can’t forget the lyrics to.  Was the Easter bunny good to you?  Was he good to your mama and your daddy too?  Was he good to your sister and your brother too?  Was the Easter bunny good to you? Catchy isn’t it?

A Little History Lesson

Easter is named after Eastre, a pagan Saxon goddess!  Eastre (earlier, Eostre, derived from the Saxons’ Germanic heritage) was the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of dawn, spring and fertility. Our word, “east” is related to this deity’s name.   Her male consort was the Sun god, and the sun does rise, after all, at dawn and in the east.   Rites of spring were celebrated in her honor at the vernal equinox (first day of spring). The first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox was also sacred to her, and this pagan holiday was given her name — Eastre.   The full moon represented the “pregnant” phase of Eastre — she was passing into the fertile season and giving birth to the Sun’s offspring.

Eastre’s symbols were the hare and the egg. Both represented fertility and rebirth.  Rabbits are more common in various parts of the world than hares so, over time the rabbit has been substituted — not without merit, since rabbits are notorious for their fertility. This is where the  “Easter Rabbit” or “Easter Bunny”  tradition comes from.

Dyed eggs were already being used as part of pagan rituals at the dawn of history in the Near Eastern civilizations. These were the first “Easter eggs.” As the traditions of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs evolved, they were lumped together. As a result, in our modern Easter tradition, although the Easter Bunny is sometimes thought of as laying the Easter eggs so eagerly sought by children, the Easter Rabbit is usually regarded as male.   Since rabbits don’t lay eggs there isn’t much point for us to debate over its gender.

When the emerging, Christian religion, with its emphasis on rebirth (through the Resurrection), found it expedient to continue celebrating Eastre’s holiday. The focus simply switched to Christ — and the spelling, eventually, to “Easter.”

It is now, in retrospect that I caution parents to not allow the commercialism of this most sacred of celebrations to overshadow the message that we need to convey to our children and to anyone that has not been introduced to the Messiah. Galatians 2:20 reads: “I am crucified with Christ. I no longer live but Christ lives in me, the life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” NKJV It was not the Easter Bunny that bore our sins and suffered the shame of the cross for us.  This most selfless of acts deserves our undivided attention and it our responsibility to share with the world the truth about the greatest of love stories.

Let us not get so caught up in all of the images that we are literally being force fed.  Chicks emerging from their shells and chocolate bunnies emerging from eggs are just a couple of the ways the world celebrates the birth of spring as opposed to the resurrection of the Son of the true and living God.  Is it not God who creates all things and gives them life?  Even if we wanted to just celebrate the season it would still point to Him because we are surrounded by His handiwork continually.  He created it all!    Psalm 24:1  The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  Psalm 19:1-2 While you’re searching for eggs don’t forget to seek first the kingdom of God and all of its righteousness.  Moreover, in all thy getting, get understanding.

True Contentment

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

In January 2006, I found out that I was being laid off of my job.  Instead of immediately laying off employees and offering a severance package, the company decided to give the effected employees a date on when they would be terminated.  I began looking for a job with no success.  It was a struggle because I was commuting almost 50 miles one way and I was pregnant with my first child.  Also, retail hours can be very crazy, so there was always a time issue.  In my distress, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Don’t look for a job. Now is not the time.”  I tried to block it out; I didn’t even tell my husband until later.  I thought to myself, “This can’t be the Lord.  This is not making any sense.  We use my income-it is not extra and I’m PREGNANT.”

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’  So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid, What can man do to me?’”  Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

I tried, for a little while, to still look for a job, but of course, when you are fighting against God’s plan, you won’t win.  The date came and I went home.  I had a great send off from my co-workers and a month later I had my son.  While at home, He truly dealt with me about being content with the plan He had for me.  Being content does not mean that you always get what you want, but contentment comes when you have peace that you are in the will of God.  Getting to that point is not always easy.  There are times of fear and uncertainty.  But, we must remember that God is always there to take us through the process.  God didn’t promise that there would be no hard days, He promised to be there.  There were many days that I cried and questioned my purpose.  But God always sent encouragement when I needed it.

Remember, God is always faithful to us.  Throughout this time, God has truly worked miracles and given me peace.  I still have moments of discontentment, but then I have to remember the things that are important in life. There are so many things that come in our lives that distract us and take our focus off Jesus Christ and who He is.  Sometimes we desire things we don’t need or don’t wait on the Lord for the things we do or we covet other peoples’ lives and the things they have.  Have peace about where you are now.  Where you are now is not the end of the story.  Contentment should not be confused with complacency.  Complacency is an unwillingness to move or grow, but contentment says I will press on and seek the will of God for my life–in whatever state I’m in.  Be encouraged!!

“The fear of the Lord leads to life:  then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”  Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)

Spit

Spit
By Lynda Schultz

Two and a half acres in a brand-new developmentit was a gift from God. The Mission’s congregation, thrilled with finally being able to build a church of their own, put their backs and their pocketbooks into the project. The neighbourhood was just beginning to grow, and the demographics experts guaranteed that the city was moving out to meet them. The new church, clearly seen from the highway, was the first driveway off the main road into the subdivision. No one could miss it.

The experts were right. Houses began to pop up all over. The congregation built the first stage of their multi-phased project and eagerly looked forward to filling their auditorium. The leadership sat down and made plans. Parents move to the suburbs to provide a healthy environment for their children. So, The Mission planned for summer programs and after school activities. A new community meant people looking for new relationships, new ties. The Mission worked through the possibilities of a Welcome Wagon program. It would be easy to watch out the church windows in eager anticipation of the next moving van rolling down the main street. Then, of course, there were Men’s Breakfasts, Mother’s Mornings Out, concerts, and barbeques on the grass beside the parking lot. The Mission decided it might even give door-to-visitation a shot. Reaching the lost became top priority, especially since the lost would soon be right on the doorstep of the church.

The community around the property began to grow. So did The Mission. The shiny new pews began to fill. Unexpectedly the growth did not come from within the community but from others outside the area. Disgruntled believers from other congregations in town saw The Mission as a place to do things righttheir way. The “upwardly mobile,” came looking for something as new and shiny as their ambitions. They also liked to be, well, mobile, moving from church to church as their spirits demanded to be replaced by others of their species. There were even a few who, burnt out by too many years being the ten percent who did the work of the other ninety percent, came looking for some place where it was possible to say “no.” Everyone came with his or her agenda. The original members of the congregation happily received all who entered and busied themselves with assimilating the newcomers. Or was it more like being assimilated by the newcomers?

One fateful evening, at a business meeting, someone suggested it was time to change the church’s name. After all, he argued, the congregation was no longer a “mission,” was it? It was firmly embedded, financially prosperous, and elegantly located. The pews and the coffers were full. Everyone was happy and comfortable. It was decided by an almost unanimous vote to rename the congregation, The Retreat. The few holdouts looked longing out the windows and prayed.

The community around the new “retreat” exploded. New streets were carved out of the bush. Almost overnight, more houses sprang up. Across the highway, a school was built, and right beside it, the glory of all suburbia a strip mall appeared. Behind the mall, rows and rows of low-income housing mushroomed.

Every Sunday the parking lot of The Retreat filled with cars. Except, of course, in the summer when everyone was at the lake. Easter was also a little slim. The great exodus to some warm, exotic winter watering spot took its toll. Christmas likewise. The current ten percent only had enough energy to minister to the other ninety. Those early plans for outreach turned brown with age, left behind in a battered filing cabinet in the furnace room. Who had time to look for moving vans?

The church put up a chain link fence around the property. The delinquents-in-formation from across the highway surely could become a threat to the congregation’s personal security, not to mention to all the expensive equipment and furnishings cherished within the building’s four walls.

The idea of building a community basketball court to reach the youth was buried under the asphalt of a bigger parking lot for the commuters. Several members complained to the municipality about the noise from lawnmowers on Sunday mornings. The stutter and roar was disturbing their worship. The band cranked up the volume, much to the annoyance of the neighbours who apparently could sleep through the sound of the lawnmowers, but had a hard time with drums, guitars, and two trumpets. The resulting bylaw served to encourage relationships in the community as well as electrifying the fence would have.

However, The Retreat remained content with itself. Eventually, no one in the community bothered it, and it didn’t bother the community. Both went their separate ways: one towards an eternity without Christ and the other ? Well, it’s not for me to say, but if you listen carefully, you might hear a voice from heaven saying: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm neither cold nor hot I am about to spit you out of my mouth”*

*Revelation 3:15, 16 NIV.

Lynda Schultz is a freelance writer currently serving with FEB International, the overseas arm of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. She works in resource development and discipleship in Caracas, Venezuela.

Website: http://web.mac.com/lyndalee1

2006

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

My Health?

While meditating on Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Based on this scripture, we should be reminded that even though we have God given responsibilities in our lives, God–not man — has the ultimate responsibility for many of the things we try and take ownership of in our lives.

I started thinking about just how many things I refer to as mine. I often say this is my house, this is my car, this is my job, these are my clothes, and this is my opinion . I talk about how I plan on investing my money, or how much I enjoyed my food. I say this is my friend, my son, and I refer to my spouse as my wife. I even describe my physical conditions as “my health.” I use the word “my” so frequently I somehow forgot that many of the things I describe as “my” or “mine” don’t belong to me at all. Those things were given to me by God to be a steward over.

Continue reading…

Don’t Add On: P4CM Video

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Apologetics
• C. Peter Wagner | Apologetics Index

Don’t Let This Be You: Church Gossip

Someone sent this to me today and I just had to share it!

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Monkey See, Monkey Do!
By Pam Ford Davis

Over and over, we are told by educators that things are more often “Caught than taught”. By repetition and example children experience much of their learning. With a background in childcare, I saw this time after time.

With children from twelve to twenty four months, they often mimicked what I did, such as coughing or blowing my nose! When they begin talking, it seems like they are turning into parrots!

Parents will be quick to realize that their children repeat what they have heard at home. With a smile, the usual comment is “I’ve got to be more careful about what I say!” They copy parents;they copy their older sisters and brothers.( That is a real bonus with potty training.) A favorite is to copy animals; they love to get down on the floor,on their hands and knees, and bark like a dog, or ROAR like a lion!

At the childcare ministry where I worked last, a boy had observed how the friendly janitor pushed the large broom or mop down the long hallway. A short time later his mom said he had a toy broom in a friends house, and pushed it all around the room, using the same motions he had seen before!
From my personal “Memory Treasure Chest”, I want to share one example of our oldest grandson, Justin, who was three years old at the time.( He is now preparing for his high school graduation.) My husband and I were at the military base housing of our daughter, her husband, and their son. I think it was his third birthday celebration. He had gone outside with his grand daddy.

When my husband sat down on a curb area, he heaved a heavy sigh. Grandparents do a lot of that! Right away, Justin sat down beside him, and gave out a loud sigh! It was a valuable lesson for both of us, that we have not forgotten. THEY DO COPY US! “Monkey See, Monkey Do!”
Even if you have no young children or grandchildren of your own, you would be surprised at how many children may be watching you. It might be at church, or at a grocery store, maybe even at a doctors office. Mind your P’s and Q’s!
With those in our families, we are instructed to share our faith in God. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7) Lovingly repeat stories of Jesus at home, or in the car…in the morning, as they are getting up, and at night, before going to sleep.

Remember, they learn by repetition. Just as we teach them the alphabet by the simple “ABC’s song;” they can learn of Gods’ love with “Jesus Loves Me.”

Now, at nearly sixty years of age, I still remember the love of Jesus, shown to me through the lives of a godly grandma and grandpa. We must not forget…”Monkey See, Monkey Do!”

I am a wife of over 40 years, mother and proud granny. I was born in N.Y. State, currently reside in central AL. With a past career in Radio announcing our family lived across the nation, later worked in the child care ministry. Now, I am living the dream of writing. All things are possible!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

6 reasons for giving more in 2009

Handling Conflict

Conflict is inevitable, natural, and even healthy! What is unhealthy is unresolved conflict allowed to fester and become a sore in the side of an otherwise productive team. In Acts 15 we see conflict both within and outside the team, but in both cases it is resolved productively. Here is one suggested process for handling conflict.

5 Stage Process for Handling Conflict 1. P ray through the subject of the conflict, alone. Ask God to help you discern the reasons behind it, the needs of those involved and how you may have contributed to it. 2. E xplore each other’s positions thoroughly, listening carefully to each others’ views on the subject of the conflict. Bear in mind that the conflict may be about personalities and needs, rather than the subject matter. 3. A pproach possible solutions together, bringing to the fore the commonality you have. These may include desire to see God glorified, the team goal, concern for each other’s happiness. 4. C ollaboration is better than compromise. Praying together can be a powerful way of seeking agreement. ‘I will listen to what God, the Lord will say, he promises peace to his people, his saints.’ (Ps 85:8) 5. E xpel any resentment you still hold. Make peace with them! (Mt 5:24)

Pause for Thought :   Use the approach above to try to resolve any conflict that you are aware of within the team. You may find the list of questions and meditations below helpful.

Approaching Conflict Situations Five questions to reflect on and pray through, when in conflict with another person : 1. What does the Lord appreciate about this person? Can I see those qualities in them? 2. Why am I taking my position? Is that true, or is there something behind it? 3. What is important in this situation? 4. What alternative solutions are there? Which of them could I live with? 5. How have I contributed to this situation? Is there anything I need to ask the Lord to help me repent of?Five passages for meditation :    ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.’ (Leviticus 19:18)   ‘Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.’ (Proverbs 20:22)   ‘Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.’ (Proverbs 10:12)   ‘My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.’ (James 1:19)   ‘Tell your people to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility to all people.’ (Titus 3:2)

Source:  http://www.teal.org.uk/et/page8.htm

Forgiveness: How to Forgive Yourself

Forgiveness: How to Forgive Yourself
By Robert Moment

No matter what the occasion, we often find ourselves looking for the best gift possible to give those we care about. We want to find some token of our affection to give them that says, “I care about you.” Of course, the best gifts to give those around us aren’t those that can be bought in any store. To show how much we love others, we need to let go of the hurt and pain that they have caused and forgive them. Love and forgiveness along with second chances are the best gifts we can possibly give to others.

But what about yourself? Have you thought about giving yourself the gift of forgiveness this year? Are you ready to be free and ready to move ahead into a life of graciousness and love in the future? If you are, you must forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made and that can be a difficult thing to do! It’s easy to try and hide our mistakes and not think about them, but what we hide has power over us; it can sit there in the back of our minds and fester, eating away at our self-assurance and our sense of God’s love for us, making us wonder if we are truly worthy. We have to let go of our mistakes and forgive ourselves just as God forgives us. And He does forgive us, completely and with no reservations!

“You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful.”

Nehemiah 9:17

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Luke 6:37

When you are ready to forgive yourself, there are six steps that I’ve found very helpful in helping me on the path to self-forgiveness. Perhaps they will help you in your struggle to let go of you past mistakes and embrace forgiveness:

Six Steps Toward Forgiving Yourself

1.Take out a sheet of paper and write your name at the top. Now take some time to think about all of those things you’ve never let go of in your past that you haven’t forgiven yourself for.

2.Write down what those transgressions are and who you hurt; how you hurt them, etc. Was it verbal or physical abuse? Dishonesty? Neglecting someone you cared about? Betrayal? Rejection? Theft? Rape? Lying? Addiction? Adultery?

3.Write down how you feel about yourself because of these unresolved feelings over your past mistakes. Be very honest with yourself. Although you may have made amends or been forgiven by others, do you still feel unworthy? God knows how you feel and He sees your heart. Express on paper how you feel and let the emotions flow release them!

4.Decide to forgive yourself. Forgiveness is not a feeling but a decision of the will and one of the greatest Gifts from God. He has told us to forgive and that He will give us the power to do so but it all begins with the decision to do so.

5.Take your list to God and acknowledge your forgiveness to Him. “Lord, I come to You today and give up my unforgiveness. I forgive myself for ____________________. At this moment, I choose not to hold these offenses against myself, but put them into Your Hands. God, heal my emotional wounds and help me to be able to move forward without regrets and help me to let go of the past and start fresh. God give me the ability to offer upliftment and comfort to someone else with the same comfort you have given me. I release my past sins of ____________into Your Hands.”

6.Destroy the list in private. This visual exercise can be very freeing. Whether you decide to shred it, burn it or tear it up and scatter it in the trash, imagine your past mistakes being destroyed and floating away in the same manner.

This is what it means to be “born again.” The Lord doesn’t want us to dwell on what has happened before our lives as Christians are about who we are now and in the future, walking in forgiveness and love. So give yourself a wonderful gift that is free of charge and yet priceless this year forgive yourself!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Alone with You in this moment of meditation and prayer, I release any unresolved feelings of resentment or regret.

Help me through this process of healing.

I release to you any unresolved feelings that I have toward myself. I understand that not forgiving myself is disobedience toward you.

Forgive me for any pain that I have caused in the lives of others. Forgive me for not letting go of the past and moving forward in love.

I experience now the relief of forgiveness to the depths of my being.

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge and give thanks for Your love that strengthens me, comforts and soothes me emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually.

In the complete fullness of Your Love, I can and do forgive myself.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for healing my heart and bringing Joy and Meaning back into my life.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
This is a new beginning releasing the past and embracing forgiveness. Forgiveness opens the door to the enrichment of all our relationships so that they flourish with understanding and love. With the forgiveness we express today we open the way to a brighter future.

Robert Moment is a Christian business coach, speaker and author of newly published book, God Will Always Be There for You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, power, joy, peace and prosperity. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Foregiveness
• A positive psychology approach to foregiveness

• Related Blogs on Relationships
• relationships in the church or relationship with the church …

Next Page »