Overflow 03 | March 2010 by Overflow Magazine

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OverflowMag.com March 2010

Putting

JESUS in unplanned

pregnancy counseling

[

Leaping in faith to another continent

]

The

Unconditional Love of God

3 THINGS THE CROSS

DID FOR YOU!

Real People, True Stories, In Your Backyard

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Contents

Expected

20 14

Featured 10

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Never too Late to Come Home

God doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care about your past...Why do you?

Bearing His Cross

Oasis: A Refuge of Hope

Significance of the Cross

Step of Faith

Undeniable prophecy fulfillment that Jesus is the Christ.

On The Cover

From the Editor

Meet Overflow

Magnify Him

Healthy Life

Resources

Ministry Spotlight

Salvation

My Rock

Contributors

Events

www.OverflowMag.com

A pregnancy center that provides practical and spiritual support through Jesus Christ.

Part I: Understanding sin and how you can receive healing through the cross.

How one church in South Tampa is approaching missions in a new way.

From the

Editor Never too Late to Come Home” (page 10). Check out the recipes for this month. The Resurrection cookies would be excellent to make with your kids. Your children will get not only a Bible lesson but also a yummy treat. We have a great article submission from your neighbor on page 42, “Step of Faith” by Teresa Nielsen. Read how one family is leaping in faith to another continent. If you have an original work that you would like to submit to Overflow, then e-mail it to us for the chance to be published.

Dear Friends, Easter is approaching and even though it’s in April this year, we wanted to start bringing into remembrance why we celebrate this holiday – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter commemorates a very important event that changed the course of mankind forever (for all who believe). I am not saying there is anything wrong with Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies, but let’s remember the most important reason for Easter is to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Significance of the Cross” by Chris Cherp on page 26, tells of three things that the cross did for you. This article will be presented in two parts; the second part will be published in the April issue. Our cover story spotlights a new pregnancy care center and the man of God behind it. This article brings encouragement as you read how God placed the vision of Oasis in Peter Castellani’s heart and made a way for it to come to fruition. God loves you and wants a relationship with you, so it doesn’t matter what you have done in the past…just come home to Him…He is waiting. Read more on this subject in Amanda’s Wright article, “It’s

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We also need more Magnify Him reports, stories of how God has moved in your life. You can submit your stories through our website or find us on facebook (under Overflow Magazine of Tampa Bay). Our community needs to hear the great things God has done for you. Every month Overflow will offer the opportunity for our readers to receive salvation through Jesus. If you don’t yet know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then please go to our salvation section (pages 36 and 37). I hope you and your family have a healthy and prosperous March. With Love in Him,

Amie Cherp

Why Overflow? Our main purpose at Overflow Magazine is to glorify God and to share the good news of God’s marvelous works from the lives of people in our local community. By spreading this good news, we believe the material you rest your eyes on will show you that God is good and faithful to those who come to Him and believe on His Word through Jesus Christ. As a result, we believe that we will begin reaping the harvest of men’s and women’s souls whom were in the dark, making disciples, and teaching all nations. (Matthew 28:19)

ofmag love+faith+hope

EDITOR

Amie Cherp amie@overflowmag.com

SALES & MARKETING Chris Cherp chris@overflowmag.com

CREATIVE

Brady Wright brady@overflowmag.com Amanda Wright amanda@overflowmag.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Tommy Burrus

PHOTOGRAPHY

Stephen T Photography

HOW TO REACH US

27251 SR 54, Suite B14-605 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813.915.6700 Phone 813.463.0275 Fax www.OverflowMag.com

Magnify Submissions

magnify@overflowmag.com

General Info Inquiry

contact@overflowmag.com Overflow Magazine is published monthly by Eternal Holdings LLC, a Florida limited liability company, d/b/a Overflow Magazine. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced or copied in any form without prior written permission from a representative of Overflow Magazine. We cannot be held responsible for statements made by advertisers or contributing writers; however, we do make every effort to ensure the accuracy and truthfulness of the information we print. Overflow Magazine cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors made by advertisers and/or contributing writers. All images, photographs, e-mails and letters sent to Overflow Magazine will be allocated for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted rights to edit. Overflow Magazine is distributed free of charge to local supermarkets, churches, businesses, family events and other locations around the Tampa Bay area. For information on where to find Overflow Magazine or if you would like to become a distributor, please call 813-915-6700 or e-mail contact@ overflowmag.com.

Overflow

Ty Williamson, www.pixelsoftime.com

Meet

We want to start by saying thank you Father God for all that You have done for us at Overflow by allowing us to serve the Kingdom of God through this magazine. It’s not what we are doing for God but what He is doing through us. God’s grace continues to abound toward Team Overflow in every area of our lives. I heard someone talking about how in the book of Exodus God was so apparent by all the great things He did for the Israelites, but so many times they just didn’t believe. Looking at that I thought, how block headed were those people? But then it dawned on me that I have been guilty of doing very similar things when it comes to walking by faith and trusting in God to supply not only finances but also favor and direction. When we are truly humble and rely on God, He will NEVER let us down. This past month we had the great experience of being part of a radio talk show. No we weren’t the featured guests, but we had the pleasure of being behind the scenes and see what talk radio is all about. Thank you “Community In Touch” for allowing that to happen. In the future, we look forward to building a lasting relationship with you and together touching the lives of those in our community for Jesus Christ. Even though February was a short month, we have found that our distribution has increased significantly, and we would like to say thank you to our readers. To show our appreciation we are holding a contest for the readers of our magazine. A pair of tickets will be given away for the “Glory at the Gardens” Christian concert series, which will be held at Busch Gardens in May (see pages 3 and 12). Overflow continues to grow and mature. Recently we have changed the layout of our website so it is more interactive with our readers. In addition, we are also on facebook and look forward to hearing from more of the people that have been enjoying the magazine. As we grow, we are in search of what type of things you would like to see in upcoming issues. So, please take some time and let us know through our website or facebook what you think of the website change and what you are interested in seeing in future issues. Overflow has continued to be met with a warm welcome from many great churches, schools, and businesses throughout the community. We want to say thank you to all that have embraced what God is doing in our community through this magazine, by opening their doors to Overflow and allowing our presence to be at your events, establishments, and churches. God Bless you!

Photo Credits: ©iStockphoto.com/webphotographeer, p. 13; ©iStockphoto.com/DNY59, p. 41; ©iStockphoto.com/adl21, p. 9; ©iStockphoto.com/ferrantraite, p. 8; ©iStockphoto. com/evgenyb, p. 31; ©iStockphoto.com/hidesy, p. 12; ©iStockphoto.com/joshblake, p. 5, 14; ©iStockphoto.com/sdominick, p. 22; ©iStockphoto.com/GhostOfTragedy, p. 5, 10; ©iStockphoto.com/nazarethman, p. 5, 26; ©iStockphoto.com/Liliboas, p. 28, 29; ©iStockphoto.com/pascalgenest, p. 35

With Love in Christ, Team Overflow March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Magnify

Him

Testimonies submitted by YOU!

Psalm 96:3 (NLT) “Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.”

Rock Bottom Free From Nicotine I dipped tobacco and smoked cigarettes since I was 17 years old. Growing up, it was a part of who I was and what I did on a daily basis. The stress of college life furthered my addiction and it became my coping mechanism. During college I worked at a juvenile correctional facility which only increased my stress level. At the time, I truly believed that nicotine “helped” ease my stress, but it was only a band-aid because there was a bigger issue at hand. I was trying to fill a void that only Jesus could fill. I tried to quit many times on my own and each time my will power slowly diminished until I picked up another cigarette. It wasn’t until I was born-again that I truly understood the void inside of me could not be filled with nicotine. I needed something else. I learned that quitting was fairly easy; all I had to do was ask God for help! “As for me, I will call out to God, and the Lord will deliver me” (Psalm 55:16, NET). >>> BW, Plant City

“...nicotine was only a band-aid because

there was a

For several years my husband and I were living a good life. We both had good jobs and a nice home but then the economy took a turn. During that time our walk with the Lord was nonexistent. A few months ago we lost everything we had and in the blink of an eye we were living on the streets of Tampa Bay. It was unbelievable. People looked at us like we were lepers and would ignore us when we tried to speak to them. After a few days of living on the streets, I realized my life couldn’t get much worse; we had hit rock bottom. Six weeks later, we heard about a church (New Life Ministries) that served breakfast to the homeless every Saturday morning, so we decided to go. During that breakfast Pastor Tom and others played music and praised Jesus. At the end of the breakfast Pastor Tom made an altar call and led a handful of people to the Lord. My husband and I were in that handful. Then, he offered to help anyone who wanted to get off the street. We approached Pastor Tom and he said he could help us but we would have to go to separate shelters (because they had male shelters and female shelters but not married shelters). We did what we had to do. It’s been three weeks and we are about to move into a nice apartment with the help of assisted living. Pastor Tom and his ministry are helping us find good jobs that will allow us to get back on our feet again. Praise God for people like Pastor Tom who have the heart of Jesus. And praise God for Jesus Christ our Lord and true Savior! >>> Anonymous

bigger issue at hand.”

Family Addition A couple of years ago, we felt the desire to grow our family through adoption. When we began the process in November 2008, we were told there were no children in our county available and that we needed to look elsewhere. We prayed and asked God to provide us with a child/children that would be right for us. We weren’t expecting another child for a year or two. A week after finishing the class in January 2009 (the first step in the adoption process), we received two beautiful children! Putting our faith in God has taken the burden off of us and allowed our family to be enlarged and to be closer to Him than ever before. >>> The Doolins, Wesley Chapel

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Visit www.OverflowMag.com to SUBMIT your testimony and tell your community

God Supplies

what God has done in your life.

I was working for a large company that was going through a merger with a forecast of a high number of layoffs in the near future. For a few weeks I carried this stress home with me and let it affect my family life. During this stressful time, someone shared some lessons about God with me and from

Prayer Avails Much The words we speak will manifest, and the prayers we pray with 100% belief will be answered. The Bible says, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22, NIV). For the last two months I have been praying every day for my daughter’s safety. The morning of January 28th I prayed for angels to protect her on her ride to work and I even laid hands on the car as I prayed. An hour later, while I was at my Christian business meeting, my daughter called frantically to tell me her car had spun out of control across both southbound lanes of 275 and crashed into the brush. A tree limb had hurled through her hatchback and missed her head by inches. Two travelers stopped to extricate her from the vehicle and they called 911. Both told her that God was with her. Does this mean that my prayers were not answered? Absolutely NOT. Miraculously she walked away from the crash intact. It was divine intervention that there were no other vehicles anywhere around during rush hour traffic. As I hurriedly left my meeting, I heard my fellow CBC members lifting up prayers on behalf of my daughter (such a precious group of prayer warriors). I truly believe we will never realize the full impact of our prayers until we join Jesus. “… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16, NKJV). It is through the blood of Jesus and our receiving the gift of salvation that we are made righteous. So I exhort you - whether you feel like it or not - PRAY! >>> Jenny K., Wesley Chapel

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.”

Cast Your Burden

it I learned that He actually cares about me and everything that I do. I also learned to roll my cares over on Him and that He’ll take care of them for me so I don’t have to worry. So, I gave my cares to the Lord. Sometimes it wasn’t easy but when the day got tough I would say aloud to myself, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:8). A few months later I got a new job that allowed me to spend more time learning about God, applying what I have learned and spending amazing quality time with my family. God is awesome! >>> Anonymous, Tampa

Six months ago I was informed by my boss that my position in his department would no longer exist. He recommended I join a team that the company was creating for a shortterm project. He told me that once this six month project was over he was not sure if the company would have a position for me. Instead of worrying about it, I decided to take this issue to the Lord. “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22, NKJV). I truly gave my burden up to Him. I had peace about the whole situation and I knew the Lord would take care of it. The project ended and I patiently waited for the news. I am happy to say my Lord always comes through and never lets me down; I got a new position! I found the favor of God with my employer and they found a position for me that was better than I had envisioned. Glory to God! >>> AC, Tampa March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

It’s Never Too Late To Come Home >>> BY AMANDA WRIGHT

any people believe that because they have made several bad decisions that God could not possibly forgive them. I have heard stories that begin, “But you don’t know what I have done.” These people believe they are not worthy to be saved. This is a lie fed to us by the enemy to hold us back from a relationship with God. Friends, I am here to tell you that the Word of God is the Truth and His Word tells us that Jesus is our salvation (see John 3:16, 14:6). God forgives anyone who accepts His Son as

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their Lord and Savior, and He is waiting for His children to return home. I want to share with you the parable of the lost son that Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32. Jesus explained that there was a man that had two sons, who were well provided for through his estate. The younger son asked his father for his share of the estate. Once he received it, he took all he had and left his father’s house to pursue his own way of life in a distant country. He squandered his wealth and lived a wild lifestyle. A great famine took place in the country that he

lived and he was in need of food and work. The son found work feeding the pigs, but he was still going hungry. He decided to return home and ask for forgiveness for sinning against Heaven and his father. He thought about how well his father’s servants were cared for and he only hoped that his father would treat him as one of his hired workers. He did not expect his father to welcome him back with open arms. We know by the father’s reaction to his youngest son’s return home that he loved him and was not angry with him. His

The father said, “This son of mine was dead, and is alive again - he was lost and now he is found” (Luke 15:24, NET). The son’s true repentance brought about not only forgiveness from his father, but also a complete restoration of their relationship. The importance of this story is to illustrate to us that it is never too late to come home. Repentance involves realizing the need to turn away from a wayward life and seek God. Just as in the parable of the lost son, our Father is looking off into the distance waiting for us to turn in repentance and make our way towards the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. Our Father’s love is unconditional. Another word for unconditional is unrestricted! God’s love for us is not restricted by what we have done! Take hold of this truth and leave the past behind. Once we ask for forgiveness and make Jesus our Lord and Savior, our past is erased from His memory. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19, NIV). God chooses not to see who we were before because we are made new in Christ (see Isaiah 43:25 & 2 Corinthians 5:17). The father in the parable demonstrates God’s heart on the matter of repentance. As soon as the son repented and asked for forgiveness, the father behaved as if he had already forgotten what the son had done. Again, it really doesn’t matter what we may have done in the past that we are ashamed of; we can seek forgiveness and turn from unrighteous to righteous ways through Jesus Christ.

father forgave him; “…When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20, NKJV). The son said, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21, NET). Before the son even finished his prepared confession the father called for a celebration. Despite the selfish way the son lived, his father showed him unconditional love. He treated his son like a king, putting the best robe and sandals on him, and threw him a feast to welcome him home.

In the parable, the older son was angry that the father was rejoicing in the return of his younger son because he had left, wasted his wealth, and lived in sin. He complained that his father had never thrown such a celebration for him and he had been the “model son.” The older son did not care that his brother had asked for forgiveness; he simply did not believe he “deserved it.” It is important to understand that God will extend mercy to anyone who truly repents. It is not a matter of whether we deserve to be forgiven for what we have done. Jesus already paid the price for our sins and we have the choice to accept that perfect gift. The father responded to the older son, “It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad,

for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32, NET). We should not judge others for what they have done in the past and decide in our own minds whether they are “worthy” to be saved and forgiven. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6, NIV). We are dead in sin, but when we repent, we are made alive in Christ (see Romans 6:1-14). I cannot reiterate enough that whatever happened before no longer matters; our past is erased and that is why we use the term “born-again.” We are made new creatures in Christ and our lives are reborn into righteousness. We must rejoice with Heaven when others make the decision to accept salvation. Through God’s grace, they will have the ability to turn away from sin and the enemy. They will no longer be judged for the past because they are a new child of the Most High God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Just as we should not judge others’ worthiness of 2 Corinthians 5:17 salvation and (NKJV) forgiveness, we must not judge our own. We have to release the guilt and condemnation that sin laid upon our hearts and forgive ourselves, just as our Father has forgiven us. Don’t let the chains of your past hold you back from eternal life and the wonderful blessings in store for you when you live for Jesus. You will develop a relationship with God, and He will release the Kingdom of Heaven through you. If you still have breath, then it is never too late to come home. Glory!

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Healthy Life Cardio Results

Increase the efficiency of your workout Want to increase the efficiency of your workouts? Try doing cardio after your weight training routine instead of before. By doing this simple change in your routine, you will find that you have more strength and endurance during the weight training portion of your workout. In addition, your body will primarily draw its energy supply from the nutrients that are remnant in your stomach and intestines. So, by the time you get to your cardio routine you will have used up the fuel source in your stomach and will be primarily pulling the stored energy from your adipose tissue (fat cells). This will yield more effective results that will be apparent in about six weeks. You’ll be burning calories more efficiently, thus decreasing your fat cell volume. Additionally, you will become stronger and more defined.

More is not always better

Have you ever looked at a “sprinter” and wondered why they are so much more muscular than a long distance runner? Look at the body of a world class sprinter versus the body of a world class long distance runner. Both are in great shape; however, the sprinter looks very muscular and defined, while the long distance runner looks extremely thin.

If your cardio goal is to shed fat while maintaining the muscle you’ve worked so hard to gain, then think “sprinter.” Try shortening your cardio routine to 10 minutes of high intensity cardio with bursts peppered throughout. For example, run 1 mile with an increased rate of speed for 10 seconds, every 90 seconds; or bike 3 miles with an increased rate of speed for 15 seconds, every 60 seconds. In your subsequent cardio sessions, always try to match or beat your previous overall cardio time for the same distance. It’s not easy, but in time you’ll find that your endurance is much greater than before. In addition, your cardio session will be much shorter thus more enjoyable. Since your cardio routine will be significantly shortened, you may want to do a short cardio workout on your off days for increased results. If your goal is to decrease the fat index of your body and look healthier, then more is not necessarily better when it comes to cardio workout duration. The information you receive from the Healthy Life section is not meant to substitute for medical advice. Before starting a new diet or exercise routine consult your doctor.

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Bearing His Cross

How Jesus fulfills prophecy >>> BY TOMMY BURRUS

he cross is the predominant symbol of Christianity. Earlier Christians used the symbol of the fish to identify themselves with Christianity. Each letter in the word for fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ) became an acrostic standing for Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. The fish symbol has made a revival in recent times, but the cross still remains the most recognizable and consistent symbol of the faith. In fact, the cross and the crucifix are so familiar to us that we have grown accustomed to them without thought for the shame and brutality of the cross.

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Crucifixion was devised to be a uniquely brutal means of execution, a tortuous death by asphyxiation. Actually, the English word excruciating literally means “out of crucifying.” There was much shame associated with a death in this manner. Crucifixion was generally reserved for the worst criminal offenders, usually those who threatened the authority of the empire or the stability of society. The statement of the individual’s crime was affixed to the cross above their head. They suffered their punishment publicly in a way that not only added to the humiliation, but

also served as an example to others of how Rome handled rivals. Crucifixion carried additional disgrace for the Jewish people. The Old Testament law spoke of the curse of those who died on a tree in Deuteronomy 21:22-23. It was considered an indication of God’s condemnation upon the criminal, which explains why many in the crowd at Jesus’ crucifixion ridiculed Him and mocked Him (Matthew 27:39 & Mark 15:29). The prophecy of Isaiah 53:4 explains that the people who witnessed His crucifixion considered Jesus to be stricken by God.

14:19). The Bible records three occasions when attempts were made to stone Jesus (John 8:59; 10:31 & 39), but each attempt was thwarted. In order to fulfill Old Testament prophecies as well as the prophecies of Jesus concerning His death, He had to die on a cross. If Jesus had been stoned or beheaded, He could not have met the criteria of all the prophecies. The manner of Jesus’ death and the events leading up to His death fulfill at least 30 distinct Old Testament prophecies, some of which were recorded in more than one Old Testament passage. This is in addition to the prophecies fulfilled by His birth, His life, and His resurrection. It is statistically impossible that any other individual could satisfy the conditions of every prophecy as Jesus did!

The high priest Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders at the time insisted upon Jesus’ death, but bringing Jesus to the Roman Governor Pilate was the ordained path to the cross. Although the right of execution no longer belonged to the nation of Israel under Roman occupation (John 18:31), they occasionally did condemn and execute people. However, their preferred manner of execution was to stone the offender to death (Leviticus 24:14-16). Examples of this can be seen in the death of Stephen (Acts 7:58-59), the attempted stoning of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:3-11), and the stoning of the Apostle Paul in the city of Lystra (Acts

As one example, John 19:30-35 tells us that because Passover was approaching, a plea was made to Pilate to hasten the deaths of Jesus and the two men crucified alongside of Him. While crucifixion would normally last for several hours or even days, it was preferred that the bodies be removed before Passover. Death was typically expedited by breaking the legs, preventing the person from pushing up to draw a breath. The soldiers broke the legs of the men crucified on either side of Jesus, but Jesus had already laid down His life. So, instead of breaking His legs, they pierced His side with a spear, simultaneously satisfying two separate prophecies: that not one bone would be broken (Psalm 34:20) and that His side would be pierced (Zechariah 12:10). Jesus did not die because He committed any crimes; even the Roman Governor Pilate admitted that he found no fault in Jesus at all (John 18:38). Jesus died to pay for our sins. Adam, as the father of the human race, made a deliberate choice that continues to impact every one of us. He rebelled against God even though he knew the consequences. Adam violated the only rule God had given. Eve did as well, but she was deceived (2 Corinthians 11:3) while Adam made a conscious decision to disobey (1 Timothy 2:14).

He forfeited his standing (and ours) with God and plunged the human race into sin. Romans 5:12 reveals that sin and death were passed on to successive generations. However, because God loved us so much, He sacrificed His Son to restore us (John 3:16). The Bible says in Isaiah 53:5-6 (KJV), “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” To maintain His righteousness and justice, God had to require condemnation and punishment. Jesus suffered punishment that we deserved. By the shedding of His blood, Jesus provided us the opportunity of salvation and forgiveness. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV).

“Jesus died to pay for our sins.”

Since Jesus alone fulfills the requirements of Scripture for salvation, we should put our faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. Since God is able to so perfectly orchestrate the events of Jesus’ life, we can trust Him with our lives as well. Since Jesus laid down His life for our sakes, we should live our lives for Him. GLORY! If you don’t yet know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then please go to pages 36 and 37. Tommy Burrus has been the pastor of the First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church (www.thonotosassabaptist.org) since September of 1993. He earned a Masters of Science in Religious Education from Florida Baptist College and Seminary. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 17 years and have two daughters. March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Resources

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is

For Your Spirit

that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

It is vital to our spirituality that we continually renew our minds with the Word of God and meditate on His Word. Our Bibles are the most important resource we have to accomplish spiritual growth; however, we do believe in the importance of feeding our spirits with edifying books, sermons, and music that will build us up and keep Jesus Christ at the forefronts of our daily lives. Each month we will share impactful books, CDs (old and new), and even websites that are inspirational and foster stronger relationships with our Father.

Fight Like a Girl Lisa Bevere

“Fight Like a Girl is about the power a woman has to fight and win the spiritual battles of her life. I can’t wait for my daughter to read this and learn how uniquely God has created her to fight for what is right in the right way.” -- Stephen Arterburn “In Fight Like a Girl, Lisa captures the essence of God’s heart toward His beautiful and precious daughters. I believe the world we live in yearns for a healthy perspective regarding womanhood, and this latest book will enlighten, empower, and ultimately influence many.” -- Bobbie Houston, Hillsong Church

Find it at:

www.MessengerInternational.org

It’s Your Time Joel Osteen

“I don’t know where you are headed, what your dreams are, or how many obstacles you have to overcome. But, let these words reach deep down into your spirit. Receive them by faith. You are closer than you think!” -- Joel Osteen

Find it at:

www.JoelOsteen.com

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Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Find these albums at: www.TampaChristian.com

“Find solid, biblical answers for the challenges you face! Access foundational Christian teaching material from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and other trusted ministers. From faith-building articles and Bible verses to topical prayers, study tools and more, you’ll find what you need for living a successful Christian life and maximizing your spiritual growth.”

Find it at: www.kcm.org

Heaven & Earth

Phil Wickham

NET Bible™

www.philwickham.com

Learning Environment This website “leads the way for a new generation of online Bible study and research tools. It offers a vast and growing library of trustworthy content all integrated into an easy-to-use online environment.”

Find it at: http://net.bible.org

Tonight Toby Mac

Facing the Giants

www.tobymac.com

by Provident-Integrity

www.facingthegiants.com Rated PG - Approx. 111 minutes “Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith. FACING THE GIANTS is the heartwarming story of a downtrodden Christian high school football coach who turns to God when everything seems to be going against him. Trusting God to do the impossible, Coach Grant Taylor and his Shiloh Christian Eagles soon discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.”

Find it at: www.TampaChristian.com

Give Yourself Away NewSong

www.newsongonline.com

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Oasis:

A Refuge for Hope

>>> BY AMANDA WRIGHT

n “oasis” is a place that provides refuge, relief, or safety. Oasis, a pregnancy care center, supplies a place for women to receive encouragement and support throughout an unplanned pregnancy, regardless of faith or background. Our editor sat down with Peter Castellani, the executive director, a former accountant and financial planner, to find out more about the man behind Oasis. He revealed a passion for pregnancy centers and the fight for the lives of unborn babies. Peter is a humble man of God who obediently followed the Lord’s call on his life to start a ministry.

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God’s Path

Initially Peter got involved with pregnancy care centers by supporting them financially and joining “Walks for Life.” When he and his wife moved to Florida they got involved with A Woman’s Place Ministries in Tampa. He attended a luncheon where he met the president of the center. Peter explains, “We were talking and I felt the urge that God was telling me to get more involved. So, I told her that I would do anything that she wanted me to do, including sweeping the

floors.” It turns out that his financial background was a perfect fit for an open seat on the board of directors as the treasurer. Peter held this position for about five years until he was called to a smaller pregnancy center in Zephyrhills. Peter recalls, “I felt like God trained me in a much larger center in Tampa to help a smaller center.” Within six months he was asked to be president of the board. God had a clear direction for Peter’s path and He was lining things up for him step by step.

approach the pastor. He walked up to him and said, “I believe God has me here for a reason, and if it’s okay with you, I’d like to say a few words to your congregation about a local center.” Peter reflects on that day and laughs, “The pastor actually let me speak and he didn’t know me or my background. That was God’s hand in it.” A divine connection was born, and Pastor Elbert told Peter he wanted to learn more about how the church could help.

Unexpected Blessings

Peter wanted to go into full time ministry for several years, but his plan was to first retire and become financially independent. God’s plan does not always line up with the plan in our minds, so we must be willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus (see Matthew 16:24). Peter was informed that he would be laid off from his job of 30 years on February 26, 2009. As shock set in, he realized that was a month away. He started preparing his resume and seeking out what he would do next, as he did not believe he was financially ready to retire. Three days after Peter received the news, he decided to take a look at his family budget. He explained, “Between my retirement and the severance package, we could make ends meet for about a year. God was providing, and I hadn’t even received the calling yet.”

Conception of Oasis

On January 18, 2009 Peter attended Myrtle Lake Baptist Church and recalls it was Sanctity of Life Sunday. At the time Peter was not a member of this church; his mom was in town and wanted to attend Myrtle Lake’s service. He prayed for an opportunity to speak to the congregation about the Zephyrhills pregnancy center. Pastor Elbert said to the church, “There are many practical ways we can support this cause: we can pray for this situation in the U.S. and we can support a local pregnancy center.” There it was…Peter’s invitation to

At 3:30 a.m. on January 31, 2009, God gave Peter a vision to open a pregnancy care center in Land O’ Lakes and he was to name it “Oasis.” The Lord told him to reach out to Pastor Elbert who would help him, as He had already initiated that divine connection. Peter reflects, “After receiving the vision, I not only knew it was from God, with tears streaming down the sides of my face, but I also had peace with the situation.” Peter looked to God’s Word for confirmation and he was led to Isaiah 43:18-21 (NIV): “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor Me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to My people, My chosen,

the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.” After only knowing Pastor Elbert for a couple of weeks, Peter boldly called on him later that morning to relate his vision, as he knew the Word says, “we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12, NKJV). While awaiting a call back from the pastor, Peter researched and laid out a plan to start a pregnancy center. Within a week’s time Pastor Elbert called to say that Myrtle Lake Baptist was “over the top excited about this opportunity.” With the confirmation from God’s Word and Pastor Elbert, Peter only needed to know that his wife was at peace with his decision before moving forward. As she saw doors open and things fall into place, she too believed in his vision, and Oasis was conceived.

Preparing for the Birth of Oasis

Peter kept moving forward on the path that the Lord laid out for him (see Philippians 3:13, 14). He set up a team of prayer warriors to pray for the center and its needs throughout its “pregnancy,” as he knew the importance of God’s hand in every aspect of the ministry. Peter was blessed with a severance package that allowed for him to live for a year without a salary and even sow seed into the center. Myrtle Lake Baptist was helping Peter realize his vision, but Oasis still needed additional funds to get the center open. Oasis began hosting luncheons and other events to gain support from local churches and people in the community. The center needed not only financial support but also a godly board of directors, and volunteers to counsel the clients and help run the center. With God’s help, Oasis has nearly 100 volunteers and a board with representation from several different churches, making it possible to help families in need. Through individuals in the community and over 15 local churches, God blessed Oasis with the right people, funds, furniture, and supplies to open its doors on October 1, 2009. In just over 8 months, God fulfilled Peter’s vision. “[For] we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV). March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

More than a Pregnancy Care Center

Oasis offers free and confidential services to help women in need during an unexpected pregnancy, including pregnancy tests, classes, practical items, and counseling. However, they offer much more than programs; they show God’s love through building lasting relationships with their clients. Peter explains, “All need counseling, love, and support. We try to offer God’s unconditional love to everyone … and share the Gospel … that’s our main purpose.” Oasis provides counseling not only to the mother, but also to the father and other family members. Oasis strives to educate their clients by offering several different classes and video lectures, including childbirth, parenting, healthy nutrition, Bible studies, relationship building, and much more. Peter refers to Oasis as a very “practical ministry.” With Oasis’ New Beginnings Program, clients

are able to earn coupons towards a wide variety of baby items. Oasis also has some maternity items. Peter explained, “They earn the coupons through attending the Bible studies, going to counseling, or watching a video. We offer double coupons if the father comes in with them.” Peter remarks, “A lot of times, you have to offer practical support before you can offer emotional or spiritual support to someone.” The center presents options counseling to their clients, which explains to the woman her three choices: keep and raise the baby, keep and give the baby up for adoption, or have an abortion. Peter clarified, “We NEVER ever recommend an abortion, but we explain to them what an abortion is based on how long they have been pregnant and what the abortion procedure entails. Then we tell them the side effects of the abortion so that when they leave here they know the truth.” Peter explains that Oasis tries to “save not only the baby Oasis provides emotional and spiritual support to their clients throughout their pregnancies.

but also the person … by presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” If the woman chooses to keep the baby, then Oasis provides her with adoption and other community referrals based upon her unique situation.

Sanctity of Life

Peter is very passionate about his cause - Saving Babies, One Family at a Time™ - and he gently reminded that “as Christians we need to stand up for life. Our society needs to wake up and see the crisis that this [abortion] is.” He went on to mention that last year in the State of Florida alone there were over 80,000 abortions performed. Also joining these sad statistics are a growing number of teenagers who become pregnant. I can understand the hardships that teen pregnancy can bring about, as my mother became pregnant with my eldest brother at 15 and my father was 17. They kept my brother to raise him on their own. Over the years God always met my family’s needs. Whether you think you’re ready to have a child or not, if you move forward in faith, then the Lord will make a way (see Philippians 4:19). God has a plan for each and every child conceived. No matter the circumstance, a child is a gift from God. My parents put God first and He has blessed them with health, prosperity, 35 years of marriage, 5 children, and 7 grandchildren. Although the loss of any life saddens us immensely, Peter brings to light that abortion is not the unforgiveable sin. Oasis offers Bible studies, post-abortion counseling, and classes to help heal women and families that have made the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Peter expressed the importance of understanding that “God still loves them even though they have made a mistake. We love them too, and we try to help them get over [the hurt and brokenness that abortion causes].”

God at the Center of Oasis

The Oasis team starts the day in prayer for the guidance and needs of the counselors. As Peters puts it, “We invite God and the Holy Spirit to be right here from the very beginning.” The counselors are also encouraged to pray prior to a session with a client and to be led by the Holy Spirit when dealing with each

Every woman receives options counseling as a part of their care at the center. Oasis provides a loving environment that women can feel comfortable in. woman’s individual situation. Peter explains, “Prayer is very important to us and this ministry. I believe that this is a spiritual battle and we need to win the spiritual battle [first] before we can win the physical battle.” Every morning you can find Peter reading the Word and praying. He wholeheartedly remarked, “Five minutes with God in the morning is worth hours of frustration in the afternoon. So start your day off right in prayer, and then you will have God’s peace with you when you are facing any situation.” Peter stands on several scriptures, but he especially applies Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) to his daily life: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Clients: The Reason for Oasis

Oasis has ministered to over 50 women and their families in the short time they have been open. When asked if there was a client experience that Peter was most pleased with, he reiterated that all client information is kept confidential. However, he was willing to share one

of his favorite and first encounters with a woman (whose name he left out for privacy) in need. “She called us before we were physically open and said she wanted a pregnancy test. I could tell from her voice that she sounded like she was in a crisis. At first I was going to refer her to another center, but then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said ‘Pete, no, you need to get going and start handling this.’” Peter quickly called Sandra, Oasis’ Chairman of the Board, to assist. It turns out, she “already knew she was pregnant; she was more looking for somebody to talk to. She was abortion-minded. She had a seven-month old baby, and here she was pregnant again and not in a great situation at home. Sandra was able to counsel her. The first client God gave us…chose life for her baby.” Praise Jesus!

How Can We Help?

We asked Peter what the center’s needs are and he honestly replied, “The biggest thing we need right now is financial support. We are solely funded by people or churches in the community. We know that God will provide!” Oasis also needs a volunteer medical director: a physician with a current license that is available (for about 30 minutes per week) to review ultrasound scans for Oasis’ clientele. They already have a volunteer who is willing

to perform free sonograms! Peter explained that sonograms are very important because “90% of the women that see the baby will not have an abortion.” Lastly, Oasis is always in need of more women volunteer counselors. They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to accommodate all schedules of potential clients needing assistance. Each day there are two shifts of three hours, and they require at least one receptionist and two counselors on hand at all times. Basically, Oasis needs to fill 30 volunteer slots per week. So as you can imagine, there are never too many volunteers! GLORY!

If you would like to make a donation, volunteer, or find out more about Oasis, please visit their website at: www.OasisPregnancyCenter.org Contact Peter Castellani at: Peter@OasisPregnancyCenter.org 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 108 Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 813-406-4965

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Significance of the Cross [Part 1] >>> BY CHRIS CHERP

What did Jesus do for us through His death and resurrection? This is a question you don’t hear very often, but so many believers don’t know what belongs to us under the New Covenant. Jesus’ death and resurrection did more than just give us eternal life. “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…. He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5, NIV). “God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity He put us in right standing with Himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where He always wanted us to be. And He did it by means of Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:24, MSG). Think about our great Father in Heaven and where He always wanted His children to be – in relationship with Him and free from all bondage (sin, sickness, disease, oppression, lack, sorrow, and any other cursed thing).

Significance

Chris Cherp

Think about the Garden of Eden before the fall of man. Adam was in fellowship with God, he had dominion over everything on the earth, and there was no sickness, lack, or oppression. When Adam sinned he broke his fellowship with God and allowed death to enter the world (Romans 5:12). By sinning, Adam made a union with Satan and handed over man’s authority of the earth to him. There is good news; through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He brought back the authority to any man who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Since Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, a new and improved covenant was created for those who believe in Jesus Christ. The New Covenant is one of faith and it works through love. One of the reasons Jesus went to the cross was to heal us. I’m not just talking about spiritual healing, though that topic will be discussed. I’m also talking about physical healing, relationship healing, and financial healing. Since this subject covers so much, this article will be presented in two parts; the second part will be published in the April issue.

Spiritual Healing “The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God’s wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17, NLT). Jesus paid the price for all our sins so we could have eternal life. In order to receive eternal life, you must confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is your Lord and Savior (see Romans 10:9-10). If you do this, you are now born-again. Understanding Sin It is important to have a clear understanding of what sin is and how to deal with it. Sin is to stray from the path of morality, and to do wrong in the sight of God. Simply put sin is the root cause of man not living up to the perfect plan of God, thus falling short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23, MSG). Since Jesus died on the cross for us, we now have a perfect way to deal with our sin. Our sins are wiped away through the precious blood of Jesus Christ; He cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). We don’t have to make blood sacrifices

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like the Israelites did in the Old Covenant because Jesus shed His blood to be our eternal sacrifice. Once we are born-again, the opportunity to sin still exists. If we do sin, then we must repent (change our ways) and ask God for forgiveness in Jesus’ Name. “… If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9, NLT). By asking for forgiveness and repenting we restore our relationship with the Father. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT). Jesus lived a sinless life as the Son of Man, not as God. Believe it or not, by the grace of God, it is possible for believers to go day to day without sinning. I am not saying it would be easy, but it is possible with God’s help. All we have to do when we are tempted to sin is ask the Lord for help, and He will show us a way out so we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Physical Healing Through Adam’s sin, sickness entered the earth but healing came for all when Jesus

paid the price for that sin at the cross. “He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by His wounds!” (1 Peter 2:24, NLT) I know someone reading this article is probably thinking, “I already know, if it is God’s will for me to be healed then He will heal me.” Let me tell you, it is His will! When you read the Bible, you will find that it is God’s will for everyone to be healed, just as it is His will for everyone to be saved. God made His will apparent when He laid all sickness on Jesus. “It was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief and made Him sick…” (Isaiah 53:10, The Amplified Bible). Jesus took to the cross not only all sin, but also all sickness. However, God made us creatures with free will and because of that, the decision to receive salvation and healing is ours. Healing All When Jesus walked the earth teaching about the Kingdom of God and repentance, all those who believed that Jesus could heal their sickness or disease received their healing. I want to stress the word ALL, which means anyone who believed. Wherever Jesus went, the sick would gather because they believed Jesus could

Significance “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His Stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

Chris Cherp

weary and stop believing (Hebrews 12:3). When someone says, “If it is God’s will for me to be healed…,” you now know there is more to it than just God’s will. We must exercise our faith in order for healing to manifest in our life. We must believe what God said and not be moved by our feelings. I once heard a wise man say, “No man’s faith is greater than his patience.” Believe, with patience.

Relationship Healing

heal them. “…Many people followed Him. He healed all the sick among them” (Matthew 12:15, NLT). You also will find in Matthew 4:23, 8:16, and 9:35 - just to name a few in the New Testament - that speak of Jesus healing ALL kinds of sickness and disease. Jesus was able to heal the woman with the issue of blood who suffered with this disease for twelve years. “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease’” (Mark 5:34, NET). The special factor in common throughout the New Testament was that those who were healed – believed. The scripture also reveals that Jesus was not able to do miracles in His home town because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58). All we need to do is have faith in God, believe it, speak it, and receive it. The best way to change your way of thinking or believing is to renew your mind with the Word of God. Then change the words that come out of your mouth, and replace your words with God’s Words. You can say to a mountain (sickness, oppression, or lack) be lifted up and be thrown into the sea and it will happen. You must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart (Mark 11:23). Think about all Jesus endured when sinners did such terrible things to Him, so that you don’t become

Jesus bridged the gap between God and us when He died on the cross and rose again. All who desire to have a personal relationship with God now can through Jesus. Now that we’re children of God, we can humbly and boldly come before the Throne of Grace. Through prayer, we can fellowship with God and find mercy and grace to help us in times of need. There will come a time when everyone who ever walked this earth will go before Jesus and be judged. The last thing anyone wants to hear is Him saying that I never knew you and leave My presence. “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:23, NKJV). Get to know God while you still have time on earth. Walk in Love In several different locations throughout the New Testament we are instructed to abide by two great commandments which essentially sum up all other commandments, and they are to love our God with all our heart, soul and mind and the second commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30-31, Romans 13:9). Although most of us are familiar with these commandments, at times it can be a challenge to walk in love. Our relationship with God and others will grow stronger when we stop thinking of ourselves first and begin reaching out to others in need. The rewards are eternal when we begin showing our love for others through our actions. God is Good The best way I heard life on earth described for believers was: Life on earth is faith boot camp. Jesus gave us authority over everything on the earth, including Satan and all his cohorts. However, in order for us to exercise our au-

thority we must understand the promises that were given to us through Jesus and we must have faith in God. Before Jesus ascended to Heaven He said, “These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in My Name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them” (Mark 16:17-18, NLT). Know that God has never given you anything bad and He never will. “Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of Heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing twofaced, nothing fickle” (James 1:17, MSG). There is only one that would like to see you suffer and live in oppression and that’s Satan. “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10, MSG). God is never to blame for the challenges you face in life. He is a loving Father that wants the best for His children. Just know that you can overcome all things with God through Jesus Christ.

“God is never to blame for the challenges you face in life.”

It is great to know that we have a God that loves us so much that He wants us to be free and live more abundantly. “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” (John 3:16, NIV). God loves us so much and all we have to do is believe and receive the blessings He has already provided for us. As born-again believers we have promises (health, prosperity, freedom, and much more) from God that are ours for the taking, but first we must educate ourselves so we understand what belongs to us. If we don’t know then we cannot enjoy all the privileges of being children of the Most High God. Glory!

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Recipes Sweet Shares!

Resurrection Cookies Author: Unknown

Ingredients:

Supplies:

1 cup whole pecans 1 teaspoon vinegar 3 egg whites 1 pinch salt 1 cup sugar

1 zipper baggy 1 wooden spoon 2 pieces scotch tape 1 Bible

This is a fun recipe to do with children to teach them the true meaning of Easter!

Directions: 1. Make the evening before Easter 2. Preheat oven to 300° 3. Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. After Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers (read John 19:1-3). 4. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. When Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink (read John 19:28-30). 5. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life to give us life (read John 10:10-11). 6. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin (read Luke 23:27). 7. Add 1 cup sugar. The sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us (read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16). 8. Beat ingredients with a mixer on high speed for 11 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed. 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). 9. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid (read Matthew 27:57-60). 10. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn OFF the oven. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door like Jesus’ tomb was sealed (read Matthew 27:65-66). 11. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight just as Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed (read John 16:20-22). 12. On Resurrection Sunday morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie to eat. Notice the cookies are hollow. On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty (read Matthew 28:1-9).

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He Has Risen! March 2010

Citrus Chicken

Submitted by Lisa Ciganek, Wesley Chapel

Ingredients: 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup lime juice 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro 1 tablespoon minced garlic 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Sea salt Black pepper

Directions: 1. Combine orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice 2. Whisk in extra virgin olive oil, fresh chopped cilantro, and minced garlic 3. Pour over chicken breasts and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour 4. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with sea salt and black pepper along with a 1/4 cup of the marinade brushed on 5. Grill, bake, or pan fry the chicken breasts until cooked through 6. Pour the remaining marinade through a sieve (wire mesh utensil) lined with a coffee filter into a small saucepan 7. Bring the marinade to a boil for 2 minutes, stirring often, reduce heat, and simmer 8. Pour the sauce over the chicken

If you have a recipe youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to share, go to www.OverflowMag.com to contact us.

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Him

Featured

was abandoned a few days after I was born and placed on the door step of a church in Athens, Greece. I was left with only the clothes I was wearing and a note. The note asked that I be cared for and baptized. Nothing else was known about my parents or any other possible family members. I was alone with no one to call mother or father. I was moved from one place to another until I was adopted by an American family and brought to the United States at three and a half years old. The plane ride to the United States was frightening for me. I did not speak English, nor did my new mother and father speak Greek. I did not understand what was happening; my life was changing as I embarked on a new adventure. My new family consisted of my mother, father, and three brothers (who were two, four, and five). My parents had the resources to provide a financially secure home. I was educated and attended church on a regular basis. When I became an adult I went away from my relationship with God. I got married and it only lasted five years. I had a son in my first marriage and remarried by the time my son was two. I went on to have two more boys in my new marriage. We didn’t attend church because my husband and I were divided in our religious backgrounds. We were never committed to putting forth the effort to provide a strong foundation for our family. I discovered later in my life just how much I was missing out on. During my childhood I grew up feeling empty inside and had a sense of not knowing who really loved me. I did not feel as though I truly belonged to anyone. I made several failed attempts to find out who my biological family was. In the late 90’s my life started to turn around. My husband was working as a salesman for a large sign manufacturing company. I stayed at home with our children while the two younger boys were still in school, and our oldest son was living on his own. One day when my husband left for one of his sales trips I had the sudden urge to fall to my knees and cry out to the Lord. I wanted to feel

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

truly loved. I needed more than what I was getting from my husband. I needed the Lord Jesus. I just didn’t realize how badly I needed Him, but (praise God) He knew! He was listening to me at that very moment. I cried out to the Lord about how empty I felt inside, and I told Him how much I loved my family but it wasn’t enough. I asked the Lord to bring a change in my life, to fill me with a love that would make me whole, and to make a difference in the lives of my family. I also made a promise to the Lord that if He would do this for me, then I would teach my children about Him, and serve Him the rest of my life. I got up off my knees and I felt at peace. Later in the day my husband called me from the road and said he was going to stay with a friend of ours in the city where he was selling signs. He explained that he made a stop off at a little place so he could have a beer. I should explain that we both enjoyed drinking in the past, so it wasn’t unusual for him to consume a 12pack of beer in one day. I did not realize at the time that our consumption of beer was robbing us of finances, quality time together and with our sons. We simply did not understand that not putting our lives in order was affecting our family life. So, when my husband called me and told me that he had stopped off to get a drink, and he suddenly did not have the desire to have a drink anymore, I was amazed. My husband mentioned that our friend he was staying with had invited him to attend a revival. Wow this was unusual! I couldn’t get my husband to go to church but that night he agreed to go to a revival! I was excited to hear more; however, I did not talk to my husband again until he came home on the weekend. When he walked in the door I noticed that

there was something different about his attitude. He told me about how awesome the revival was and I asked him if he was born again. With his eyes watering, he said, “Yes.” He and our friend had gotten saved. I was weeping with joy! I immediately went to my room, got down on my knees, cried out in excitement to the Lord, and thanked Him for making these changes. This was the very beginning of my new life. My husband and I both stopped drinking. The desire was gone. We immediately found a good Word church and attended with our family as much as we could. When we wake up in the mornings we get out our Bibles and read the Word. Our TV programs changed, as we only wanted to watch the Christian channels that preach the Word. My husband had the desire to soak up the Word like a sponge. Our relationship started growing so much because the Lord was giving us the food we needed to grow and develop as better spouses and parents. I soon realized the empty feeling that I had carried inside as a child was gone. I now belong to the Lord, and so does my family. Our lives are so much better. We have more focus on the One who is leading our household; the One that is our Protector, our Provider, our Healer, our Safe Refuge, and our Strength. I value Psalm 91 and each verse in it. This scripture has grown inside me and I realize I have a real Father that provides for me and my household each and every day. His love is in me and I am forever full.

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March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

“... the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.” Colossians 1:14 (MSG)

Salvation It’s FREE! You’re not alone. In the Word of God (the Bible), God says He will never leave you nor forsake you. No matter what you’re experiencing in life now or even what you may have done in the past, God loves you and wants you to be His child so He can take care of you - forever. If you have an empty feeling that can’t be filled by anything that you’ve tried (alcohol, drugs, sex, food...) then please let me introduce you to the only thing that can fill that void, Jesus Christ. If you want to invite Jesus into your life then say this prayer out loud in faith: Father God, I come before you in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved” and “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9). Father God, I believe your Word is truth and I stand on it now. Please forgive me for all my sins and unrighteousness. Today I make Jesus my Lord and Savior and I believe God raised Him from the dead, and He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Father I ask that you fill me with your Holy Spirit to guide and teach me as I walk this earth and grow spiritually (Luke 11:13; Luke 12:12). I thank You for making a place for me in Your Kingdom, please guide me in the direction that will eternally please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Rock

Scriptures I stand on to overcome

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” It is easy to feel self righteous in this secular world and expect to be praised from others when you do a good deed or work hard, but when you do it for the Lord the reward is so much greater. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. Then, it will be easy for others to see that you have found the truth of God’s love and the light of the Holy Spirit will shine through you for all to see.

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” “My God guides my path and leads me according to His will. When I wake up in the morning or before I go to sleep at night I am certain that no matter what might be thrown my way I know that my Lord will protect me. The Lord is my salvation which means He is able to deliver me from my troubles. My Lord is always there when I need Him and He has never let me down.”

Rock

Scriptures I stand on to overcome

1 Peter 4:8 (AMP) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].â&#x20AC;?

A Beginning in the

End

>>> BY TOMMY BURRUS

Too cruel and harsh the fate That befell their Faithful Friend How could someone so great Come to such a horrid end? Even on the cross He said “Father, Forgive them what they do” The Crown of Thorns upon His head He bore the punishment we were due “Remember me,” spoke a thief Who was dying at His side The response came as such relief “Today we’ll be in Paradise” Murky darkness shrouded all And replaced the noonday sun As He cried in loneliness The work was finally done “It is finished” He cried out “It is over” is what they heard Their hearts were filled with doubt They could not speak a word Quietly in a borrowed tomb The Savior’s body was laid Shut up in the Upper Room The disciples were afraid Three days passed in grief and shame Before arrangements could be made With burial spices, the women came Sunlight forcing shadows to fade The stone had been rolled away They could not understand Until two angels came to say He had Risen as He planned It wasn’t over as they thought This His resurrection proved Our forgiveness He had bought Our sins have been removed The end was just the start Of the work He came to do To change our sinful heart His life makes all things new

Contributors Inspired work from your neighbors

Step of Faith >>> BY: TERESA L. NIELSEN

eff Sukup, the Director of Missions for South Tampa Fellowship, sat across the desk from Senior Pastor Craig Rees in surprise and disbelief. Rees had just asked him to move to Botswana as a full-time missionary. Jeff’s initial reaction was one of shock: “Don’t do this to me! No, not now.” This just did not seem like the right time to move to Africa. Jeff had a fulltime job that he loved at his church, and

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his wife was just recovering from serious health issues. Although Jeff had traveled to many foreign countries on short-term mission trips, Botswana was a country he had never visited. Now he was being asked to move there. God was about to reveal to Jeff that this was His plan.

A New Idea When someone accepts the calling to become a full-time missionary, typically,

he or she would join a mission organization and then begin the long process of raising financial support from churches and individuals. But this time a church in South Tampa is approaching missions in a new way. “We need to do something which is quite radical,” says Pastor Rees. “It is sad to say that the group of ministers that are actually supported the least are often the ones that sacrifice the most … that is missionaries. Many of them have to raise

their own support, and in this economy you can realize how difficult that is. God has been working on my heart and the pastoral leadership’s hearts to be a church that is committed to sending people not only short term into the world but also long term, and fully supporting them.” The Pastors began praying about the endeavor and where to fulfill it. Last year, Rees traveled to Botswana and God revealed to him that it is a place where He is going to do great things. Rees says he immediately thought of Jeff Sukup and his wife, April, being the missionaries to fulfill that vision. So, for the first time, South Tampa Fellowship (STF) will send a staff member out into the field as a fully funded missionary. The Sukups will be moving to Botswana to serve with Open Baptist Church (OBC). Jeff will serve as the church’s Missions Facilitator, working under Associate Pastor Desmond Henry. Their commitment at OBC will initially be for three years.

church with members from about 30 cultures. It oversees several ministries inside and outside Gaborone, as far north as the Zambian border. Those ministry projects include church planting, feeding centers, and pastor training. Short-term mission teams from the United States go to OBC to work in the various ministry projects. Norman Schaffer, age 60, is the lead pastor of Open Baptist Church and has been there for four years. Stepping out in faith, he left a secure job at a church in Johannesburg,

them send teams out,” says Jeff. “We want to grow the work of the indigenous people there.”

Faith Response Taking a huge step of faith in response to God’s call on their lives, and trusting in His provision, the Sukups sold their Riverview home and most of their possessions. Since they can only take with them what will fit into their suitcases, the Sukup’s church family donated funds to set up their new home in Botswana. The Sukups say that as they began to step out in faith, God began to reveal how everything in His plan is connected. Just eight hours north of Gaborone lives the Tonga tribe, a group of people who have never been reached with the Gospel. There is a surprising connection between the Tonga tribe and April Sukup, who grew up in Africa as a “missionary kid.” April’s sister-in-law was a member of the Tonga tribe. When April’s brother and sister-in-law both died of AIDS, April adopted their daughter, Linda, and raised her as her own. This connection may open even more doors for them in Botswana.

“...it continues to be confirmed that God may be sending us to Botswana. We will continue to pray as we walk this path because we wouldn’t want to be anywhere that God doesn’t desire us to be.”

“In missionary terms, Botswana is a country with amazing potential to be a gateway to the African subcontinent,” says STF Student Pastor Glyn Norman. “I am delighted and proud that we are able to send one of our own to take advantage of this strategic opportunity.” Rees worked through a state-side organization, Close Connections (www.closeconnections.org), which organizes churches in the U.S. to send mission teams to Botswana. The door was open, the timing was right, and the Sukups were willing to make whatever sacrifice was needed. “I never imagined when God gave this to me that there would be so many connections that would be falling into place,” says Rees.

Open Baptist Church Open Baptist Church in Gaborone, Botswana, is an English-speaking African

South Africa, to serve at OBC. He and his wife left their family, including grandchildren under age 5, to pursue God’s call to OBC. Open Baptist Church needs someone who is American to relate to the American churches that are sending mission teams to Botswana. Jeff Sukup’s responsibility at OBC will be to coordinate short-term trips with the sending churches from the United States. As Missions Director at STF, he has been on the sending end of mission trips. Now, his role at OBC will be on the receiving end, helping to ensure that the ministry continues to develop. In addition, he will work to propel OBC’s own members into participating in mission trips. “It’s my prayer for God to use me for the greater benefit of His Kingdom, to grow teams, mobilize the church body there, and help

“Because of God’s love…that’s why I choose to do this,” remarks Jeff. “We are not our own. We have a passion to reach the unreached to the best of our ability.” “We have prayed and then went to see; we prayed again, and it continues to be confirmed that God may be sending us to Botswana,” says Jeff. “We will continue to pray as we walk this path because we wouldn’t want to be anywhere that God doesn’t desire us to be.” Jeff and April are scheduled to leave for Botswana on March 22, 2010.

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope

Events

If you would like to add an upcoming event to our calendar, please submit the event name, date(s), time(s), location(s), and a short description of the event to: contact@overflowmag.com or call us at 813-915-6700

March 2-31

Godspell

The Broadway show based on the Gospel according to Matthew DAVID A. STRAZ, JR. CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place Tampa, 33602 813-229-7827 Tues.-Fri., 7:30pm, Sat.-Sun., 2pm & 7:30pm

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Collision of Comedy

Citrus Drop to Help Food Pantries

with Daren Marlar, Joey I.L.O. & Steffon Northeast Presbyterian Church 4400 Shore Acres Blvd. St. Petersburg, 33705 727-526-6083 www.nepres.org 6pm & 8pm Drop Site: Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 304 Druid Hills Road, Tampa 9am - 12pm

303 N. Lemon St., Plant City Suite Caroline Concert, 1pm *Kids get in FREE on the 6th Switchfoot/One Republic Concert, 3:30pm Michael W. Smith Concert, 7:30pm

WELCA’s Spring Bazaar

Atonement Lutheran Church 29617 SR 54, Wesley Chapel 813-388-6501 9am - 2pm



4-14

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Concert Countryside Christian Center 1850 N. McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 727-799-1618 3pm

Victory Church 1401 Griffin Rd., Lakeland 33810 863-859-6000 6:30pm

Jeremy Camp Concert with guest Adie Camp

First Baptist Church of Ocala 2801 Southeast Maricamp Rd. 352-629-5683 7:30pm

Chasco Fiesta - Sims Park Amphitheater 6341 Bank St., New Port Richey 7:30pm

Victory Church 1401 Griffin Rd., Lakeland 33810 863-859-6000 6:30pm

26-28

Sonfest Winterfest 2010

Christian Event for Teenagers Featuring: Leeland, Phil Stacey, Matt Price and others Hilton Hotel 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando 865-428-5787

9th Annual Race for Sight

by The Lions Eye Institute Foundation Centennial Park - Ybor City 1800 18th St. Tampa, 33605 www.active.com 1 mile & 5K - 6am

The Little Engine That Could

by the Omaha Theater Company Ruth Eckerd Hall 1111 N. McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 12pm

We Care Family Fun Day to benefit Somebody Cares Tampa Bay University Mall 2200 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa www.sctb.org, 727-536-2273 **Wii Sports, Laser Tag, Giant Inflatables, Food, Music, Games & more! 10am-5pm

AirFest 2010

MacDill Air Force Base - Tampa www.macdill-airfest.com 9am - 5pm

Disney Live! Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Road Show with Mickey & Disney Friends

Ruth Eckerd Hall 1111 N. McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 727-791-7400 12pm, 3pm, & 6pm

20, 21

Until the Whole World Hears Tour: Casting Crowns & Kutless Calvary Assembly of God 1199 Clay St., Winter Park, 32789 407-644-1199 7pm

Events April 1-30

16-17

23-24

3, 10, 17, 24

Pinellas County Market in the Park

Land O’ Lakes Community Center 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. 9am - 2pm Heritage Village 11909 125th St. North, Largo 9am - 1pm

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March 2010

Easter Bunny Cruise

Living Proof Live with Beth Moore

Acquire the Fire

A 27-hr life transforming Christian event for teenagers USF Sun Dome 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 33620 888-628-3473

1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, 33604 11am

Land O’ Lakes Saturday Market

Historic Ybor City - Centennial Park Corner of 8th Ave. & 19th St. 9am - 3pm

Idlewild Baptist off of Van Dyke Road, Lutz Contact LifeWay Events 800-254-2022 Fri., 7-9pm, Sat., 8:30am-12pm

Lowry Park Zoo’s Orangutan Egg Hunt

3, 10, 17, 24

Ybor City Saturday Market

Brunch, Peter Cottontale & Games! Yacht Starship Dining Cruise 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa, 33602 813-223-7999

Godspell

3, 10, 17, 24

Praise & Worship Extravaganza to benefit Oasis Pregnancy Care Center Myrtle Lake Baptist Church 2017 Reigler Road Land O’ Lakes, 34639 813-949-5516 6pm

LOCAL CHURCH SERVICES Branch of Christ Ministries 2211 Ashley Oaks Circle, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813-435-1469 Sun., 10:00am

Church of the Lakes

2530 Wilson Rd. Land O’ Lakes, 34638 813-948-4358 www.churchofthelakesepc.org Sun., 9:15am & 10:30am

Dwelling Place

410 County Line Rd. W Lutz, 33548 813-949-1912 www.thedwellingplace.us Sun., 8:30am & 10:30am 2pm Spanish Service

Family Worship Center 1350 E. Main St. Lakeland, 33801 863-687-8827 www.fwclakeland.org Sun., 9am, 11am & 6pm

First Baptist of New Tampa

River of Life

First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church

Tampa Covenant Church

28125 County Line Rd. Wesley Chapel, 33543 813-907-1685 www.fbcnewtampa.org Sun., 9:15am, 10:30am, & 6pm

10650 McIntosh Rd. Thonotosassa, 33592 813-986-4756 www.thonotosassabaptist.org Sun., 9:45 am, 11am & 6pm Wed., 7pm

Heritage Christian Center 21418 Carson Drive Land O’ Lakes, 34639 813-909-4080 www.yesheritage.com Sun., 9am & 11 am, Wed., 7pm

New Life Church

1611 E Bougainvillea Tampa, 33612 813-244-4355 Sun., 10am & 6:30pm, Wed., 6:30pm

410 Chapman Rd. East Lutz, FL 33549 813-949-9931 www.riveroflife-lutz.org Sun., 10am, Wed., 7pm 13320 Lake Magdalene Blvd. Tampa, 33618 813-968-2979 www.tampacovenantchurch.org Sun., 9:30am, Wed., 7pm

Victorious Life Church

6224 Old Pasco Rd. Wesley Chapel, 33544 813-973-2230 www.victoriouslifechurch.com Sun., 9am, 10:40am & 6pm Wed., 7pm

Without Walls International Church

2511 N. Grady Ave. Tampa, 33607 813-879-4673 www.withoutwalls.org Sun., 9am & 11am, Thurs., 7pm

March 2010 Love+Faith+Hope