April Faith & Family

April 2012

How to Keep your Marriage from Being Stagnant

Easter D.I.Y. More than Enough

2

Faith and Family

sbfaithandfamily.com

contents

on the cover 4 7

Easter D.I.Y. Marriage Matters Ho to Keep your Marriage from Being Stagnant

11

Faith Under Fire

12

CSI: Golgotha

More than Enough

columns

Joyful Noise 6 Hymns Revived 21 Thoughts in Christ 9 Almsgiving 22 Modern Motherhood 14 Gifted Children = Gifted Moms? to Home 22 15 Close New Life and New Hope Upwards 16 Pressing Let us Rejoice and be Glad

in every issue Event Calendar Quips & Quotes Ad Directory

City Scene

Wide Easter Hunt 17 Community Easter under the Stars Walk for Life

& Wellness 19 Health Exercise with Purpose Beautiful Feet 20 Waiting on Meals Little Bits 20 Resurrection Rolls of Wisdom 22 WeWords Worship Thy Passion April 2012

3

Spring DYI Fun Crispy Easter Eggs 3 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter 1 package (10 1/2-ounce) mini marshmallows Assorted food coloring (optional) 6 cup(s) crisp rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies) Assorted pastel M&M’s (preferably Minis), frozen (optional) 1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and cook until marshmallows are completely melted and blended into butter. Remove from heat. Tint mixture with food coloring, if you wish. (You can also make recipe in two or more separate batches to make different colors.)

2. Stir in cereal until it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture.

Mist hands generously with cooking spray.

Shape cereal mixture into 15 to 20 ovals (work quickly while mixture is still warm and soft).

If you like, press M&M’s into eggs to make stripes or polka dots. Cool completely. Wrap in cellophane or store in an airtight container.

4

Faith and Family

Bucket O Bunnies Silly Cinnabunnies 1 Can Pillsbury® Grands!® Cinnamon Rolls with icing 12 Raisins 8 sliced almonds 1. Start by removing the cinnamon rolls from the package. Place 4 cinnamon rolls on large lightly greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Unroll remaining 4 cinnamon rolls and place on cookie sheet touching one of the coiled cinnamon rolls and folding ends under to create the floppy bunny ears. Pinch the dough to secure the ears to the bunny head.

2. Firmly press 3 raisins on top of each roll to form the eyes and nose and the almonds for the teeth. Bake according to directions and cool completely. Frost and decorate the ears.

You will need Marshmallow Peeps, Sour Apple Big League Chew or Edible Easter Grass (found at Target), a clear pail (carried at most craft stores) or a cellophane bag, and a printable tag. *If you are using the pail, I would recommend printing the tag on full label sheets and the punching out with a 2.5 inch punch. *If you are making this in a bag, print on bright white card stock.

Fill the bottom of the bucket with “grass”, line the pail with bunny peeps, close the lid and put on your sticker. Add a ribbon and your done.

A bucket of yum to share!

But they also look just as cute as a bag o’ bunnies!

sbfaithandfamily.com

April 2012

5

The combined choirs of Cypress Baptist Church and First Baptist Bossier are joining with the Shreveport Symphony to present, Hymns Revived.

The event will begin on Sunday evening, April 22, 6 pm at Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Rd. Benton, La. The concert is a celebration of the rich heritage of Christian hymns and will be narrated by Rick Roe. Familiar Hymns will be sung such as; “It is Well with My Soul”, “Victory in Jesus”, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”and many others have been rearranged

Angel Update

6

Faith and Family

and orchestrated in a fresh and invigorating manner

by Philip Wade, Minister of Music, at Cypress Baptist Church.

According to Wade, the timeless message of Hymns enhances worship and allows a musical expression of an inward devotion. “We are extremely excited about this event, and are thrilled to be teaming up with our own Shreveport Symphony to present an inspiring evening of wonderful music,” said Wade. Tickets are $10.00, and can be purchased at Cypress Baptist Church, First Baptist Bossier, Lifeway, or, at the door. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

-Cypress Baptist Church

sbfaithandfamily.com

M

arriage

How to Keep your Marriage from Being Stagnant

Matters

Ever notice what happens to water when it sits for a while? Water, in its purist form, is inviting, soothing, peaceful, refreshing and clear. When water is left to sit there is a film that comes over it, it turns cloudy and becomes a dingy, dark color. Before you know it, the dirtiness begins to attract other dirty things. If we are not careful our marriage will, over time, become stagnant just like water. What was once clean and pure fades into something that distances us from one other.

Immediately, I begin to think of the amount of work it takes for Steve to keep our camp swimming pool in good condition.

He must constantly spend time making sure it has the right balance of chemicals, the right water level and an awareness of the surrounding areas so that he maintains a level of preventative maintenance.

Below are some practical tips to keep your marriage refreshing, pure and in balance.

1. DIALOGUE DAILY

3. DEPART MONTHLY

Just like the daily chemicals in our pool, we must be in touch with one another’s hearts on a daily basis. In order to do this, you need to find a safe area with no interruptions and have a commitment to be open and honest without being defensive. I know some of you are thinking, “we have young children, how are we supposed to do this?” Scheduling becomes very important, it may mean communicating after you put them to bed, getting up thirty minutes earlier in the morning or communicating throughout the day on the telephone.

The key is to stay in touch with one another’s feelings, emotions, joys and fears on a daily basis. This is truly a lifeline to a healthy marriage.

2. DATE WEEKLY This means just the two of you, not you and other couples! This does not have to cost money, it is, instead, an opportunity to be creative. You may need to establish rules for the date so that you are not spending the time talking about kids, work and/or church.

The emphasis for date night should be pouring romance and value into one another. You are teaching your children the importance of a healthy husband and wife relationship that they will benefit from as they grow older.

The greatest benefit of this is to give one another 24 hours of undivided attention.

When Steve and I would do this, we not only came back with a better marriage, but we also came back as a better Mom and Dad. The greatest thing is that having this to look forward to will push you through so many of life’s difficulties.

This is really a culmination of dialoging daily and dating weekly. Many of you are wondering about the affordability of this, but if it is an important priority, God will provide. This does not have to be a trip some where, it can mean farming your kids out and you staying home together for the weekend.

“Blessed are those who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

Psalm 1:2-3

— Steve & Debbie Wilson Marriage Matters Now www.MarriageMattersNow.com

April 2012

7

“The angel’s fiery sword will no longer guard the gate of Paradise, for the Cross of the Lord has put it out wondrously.

The power of death has been broken, the victory of Hades wiped out, and You, my Savior, have stood up and called out to all those bound in hell: ‘Come now, and enter into heaven.’“ -Kontakion of the Holy Cross for the fourth week of Lent

Christ calls out, but who has heard Him? Surely not everyone, not even very many. But nevertheless He offers salvation and new life to all. Today we examine our hearts and ask ourselves whether we have responded to His call, whether we can rise to meet Him, whether we accept His offer for eternal life.

ADVERTISE HERE for

$100!

318-737-2786 8

Faith and Family

sbfaithandfamily.com

Almsgiving: A Challenge to Give with the Right and Hide from the Left (Matt. 6:3) Great Lent is a wonderful, if trying, time. It’s an opportunity to recharge our spiritual batteries and tell ourselves that despite falling down all year, now is the time to get back up. It’s a time to guard ourselves and give of ourselves in a multitude of ways. We often hear that it is not enough to merely abstain during Lent; we should also do during Lent.

To be specific, we should give alms. But almsgiving does not need to consist only in giving money. If that was so, those who have little would find it nearly impossible to give alms.

Giving alms can be done in a variety of ways. The Greek word eleemosyne means “alms, charity, mercy.” In other words, almsgiving is also the act of being merciful, so something as simple as a kind word, or a word not spoken, can be alms.

Going to three different grocery stores to find those special ingredients so you can make your husband a delicious recipe because he is tired and a tasty fasting meal will lift his spirits, can be alms.

If we are watchful and mindful, we can find opportunities to give alms when we are shopping, by letting someone behind us go ahead. We can smile at someone on the street who looks like he’s having a hard day. We can go out of our way to help those we see struggling or say an extra prayer rope for those we know need it. We can visit the sick, spend an extra five minutes during coffee hour listening to someone unload about their difficult week, and tell an uplifting spiritual story. We can volunteer to help a young mother with her energetic little ones, and pick up after our own children for possibly the umpteenth time without grumbling. If we look for opportunities to give alms, if we ask God to put those opportunities in our lives, then we will see them on a daily basis.

Here’s my challenge to all of us: to give this Great Lent, to give and to pray and to thank God for the ability to do so. But, I would like to add an extra element to this challenge. Let’s give and not tell. Let’s give and not even recall our good deeds to ourselves. Let’s give and forget that we did good. For in reality it is God who should be credited for inspiring us to give. This is what the Gospel teaches us, to give to the poor (in whatever way we are able, to whatever kind of poverty we encounter) – but not let our “left hand” know what we’ve done (Matt 6:3).

Let’s become cheerful givers. And if we’re not cheerful right off the bat, let’s not be dismayed. I believe we’ll become cheerful through giving. It’s a worthy goal, for God loves the cheerful giver (2 Corin. 9:7).

Let’s arrive at Pascha having given of ourselves, having hidden our good deeds from others and ourselves. And let’s pray that while we were giving, our neighbour saw Christ in us – the True Giver of all good. Let’s pray that when we give alms, when others see us being merciful, we will be able to honestly say, “he who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) because it is not us who gives, but Christ who gives through us.

Lastly, let’s not be found giving alms with our right hand and taking away the spiritual profit with our left by becoming puffed up, thinking we are good Christians. No, let’s give God the glory.

-Constantina is the wife of a deacon, a student of theology, painter of icons,and the author of The Scent of Holiness: Lessons from a Woman’s Monastery.

April 2012

9

10 Faith and Family

sbfaithandfamily.com

More

than

Enough

There’s a stately avenue of live oaks surrounding the LSUS campus, planted and brought to maturity along “The Ring Road” through the visionary efforts – and some hard, physical labor - of Dr. George Kemp, Professor Emeritus, and the late John Porter. It is a place dear to my heart. Recently, my grandsons and I spent several happy hours in the shade of these majestic beauties, playing softball, golf and badminton, with a little tree-climbing thrown in for good measure.

Always ready to teach them a “life lesson,” I pointed out the hundreds of acorns that had collected at the base of just one tree. And, the numerous baby trees that were sprouting. It wasn’t even the first day of Spring, and abundance was everywhere. That’s because our Father never does anything by halves; He does it in spades! (Gen. 8:17, 9:7; Deut. 30:8-10; John 3:16).

God’s generous Spirit was first exhibited in creation. Think about the infinite number of stars astronomers describe and whose mysterious wonders have now been captured by the Hubble telescope. In fact, recent scientific information says that the universe is expanding, not contracting.

It is limitless. What about the grains of sand on the numerous seashores that grace our planet? White, black and even pink. Or the hundreds of tiny parachute seeds on the common Dandelion weed? And then, there’s the

marvelous pomegranate, each precious seed encased in a succulent matrix that’s delicious and fun to eat. This fruit was so special to God, and so demonstrative of His lavish nature, that He instructed the Hebrew tailors to embroider them around the hems of the tabernacle priests’ robes ( Ex. 28:31-34; 39:2226). A proclamation to all Israel that

Baby oak trees sprout from an abundance of acorns declared, “I am the God of abundance!

I will take care of your needs.” Early in their journey from captivity, He led them to a “land of milk and honey” (Ex. 3:17; 13:5). Unfortunately, their refusal to possess the land (with God’s promise of victory ringing in their ears) kept them wandering in the wilderness for forty years. Yet, even there, God met their needs. The quail and manna that fell from heaven provided daily sustenance (Ex. 16). And during that time of disobedience, neither their shoes nor clothing needed replacing.

But it’s not just our physical needs that God is concerned about. He also desires for us to develop a generous spiritual nature. The secret to living an abundant life is to follow His lead and sow into your area of lack. If you need forgiveness, forgive someone who has wronged you, or make it right

with someone you have wronged (Luke 6:35-37; Matt. 5:21-24). If your finances are operating in a deficit mode, tithe and give to God’s work (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38). If your heart aches, lavish comfort on another soul who is hurting (II Corin. 1:3-5).

Finally, if His grace has eluded you, meditate on the words of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, 3:14-21: “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” When God’s incredible love takes root in your heart, like the oak tree that produces an abundance of acorns every season, you will find that you have more than enough to feed every area of need in your life (Mark 6:34-44; John 6:1-13).

Dianne B. Howell Shreveport,LA

April 2012

11

we now understand the physiology behind the effects of these devices on the human body. Let’s review five facts.

FACT #1: Hematidrosis A harsh wind tainted with the odor of blood tosses dust around the crime scene. The implements of torture and execution are thrown carelessly aside with no regard for their testimony to the horrendous nature of this crime.

Blood is everywhere, splattered like dark crimson paint. The trail leads down the hill into the city where it began at a low, stone pedestal. It continues on through a court room and into the quiet seclusion of a garden scented with eucalyptus. It is time to gather and examine the evidence.

Did the victim, Jesus Christ, survive his meager injuries on the cross and only appear to be dead? Did he then recover and marry Mary Madgalene as is claimed by those who support the “swoon” theory?

As a physician I have decided to convene a “coroner’s inquest” to investigate the circumstances surrounding the torture and execution of Jesus of Nazareth. I will ask you, the jury, to weigh the evidence and decide for yourself if it was possible for Jesus to have “swooned” and survived the cross.

We have three forms of evidence.

First, there is the eye witness testimony of Luke, the physician. Second, are well documented historical and archeological discoveries revealing the torture and execution methods used in first century Palestine. Third, with the perspective of modern medicine,

12 Faith and Family

Luke recounts how Jesus was in so much anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane that his “sweat fell like drops of blood”. Was this an allegory on Luke’s part? Who really sweats blood? Modern medicine has shown “hematidrosis” occurs. Imagine you’ve almost been in an accident. Your heart is racing, your breathing is rapid, your skin is cold and clammy. When the human brain is threatened with death, the “fight or flight response” takes over. Adrenaline prepares the brain and the muscles for fighting or fleeing.

Once the adrenaline is depleted by the stress, the process reverses itself. After the adrenaline is depleted, blood vessels at the base of the sweat glands dilate and blood leaks into the sweat. Jesus certainly underwent extreme mental stress in the Garden and he did sweat blood. But, is hematidrosis deadly? In my medical opinion Jesus would have suffered from dehydration and minimal blood loss and a nice nap along with rehydration with “Jerusalem”-ade would have restored him. But, this was just the first of the five events.

FACT #2: Blunt Force Trauma The Gospels record several episodes of Jesus being beaten by his captors.

Blunt force trauma produces bleeding into the skin and muscles. Large bruises are a sign of blood loss. With such massive blunt force trauma, the muscles can begin to break down and release a chemical called myoglobin.

Myoglobin can cause kidney damage.

It is very likely that Jesus not only suffered more blood loss due to these beatings, but also suffered kidney damage from the “rhabdomyolysis” or breakdown of muscle tissue. Could Jesus have died from these injuries?

Without dialysis, Jesus would have died if the kidney failure became severe.

But, in mild cases of rhabdomyolysis, the kidneys might recover in as little as three days. So, it is possible for Jesus to recover from the blood loss and the kidney failure. But, there was more ahead for Jesus.

FACT #3: Flogging

A “lictor” takes his job seriously and is well trained in the art of flogging. His job was to bring the victim to the brink of death and elicit a confession. The victim was stripped naked and tied to a low lying pedestal with his back and buttocks exposed. The cat of nine tails, a multi stranded braided whip with bits of bone, glass, and metal woven into the ends was used to flay the skin and muscle from the back.

This was not a mere whipping. Thirty nine lashes were to be administered and each lash brought the ripping of flesh and muscle, flaying the entire back and buttock region. This caused enormous blood loss, damage to the respiratory muscles, and more rhabdomyolysis. Bacteria from the germ filled environment around him would seed the lacerations with overwhelming infection. Could Jesus survive flogging? Without rehydration, antibiotics, dialysis, and surgical

sbfaithandfamily.com

the nails through the flesh between the bones of the palm. But, if the Roman soldiers angled the nail with the tip in the palm and drove the nail through the sturdier wrist bones and into the wood, then the weight of the victim would actually serve to seat the nail even more firmly. Remember this the next time you hang a picture!

repair Jesus is already dead, or as the Romans called these victims, “the walking dead”.

FACT #4: Crown of Thorns The scalp is the most vascular part of the body.

The thorns used in this punishment were 3 to 4 inches long and sturdy enough to use as needles to sew leather. Pushing the thorns into the scalp of Jesus caused more blood loss.

FACT #5: Crucifixion There is a reason the word “excruciating” comes from the word crucifixion. This is the most painful and degrading method of torture and execution ever devised by man. First, the victim would have to carry a 300 pound cross uphill one to two miles to the hill of Golgotha. It is no wonder that Jesus, in his horrific condition, could not carry his cross.

Once on the hill of Golgotha, the victim was placed upon the cross and seven inch nails were driven through the wrists and feet of the victim.

There is often a comment about the nail prints in the palms of the hands of Jesus. If these huge nails had been driven through the palm area, the weight of the body would have ripped

punished. By breaking the victim’s legs and preventing breathing, they would hasten death. The soldiers determined that Jesus was already dead and did not break his legs. These guys knew when a victim was dead. Their life depended on it.

Conclusion: Hematidrosis, blunt force trauma, and the flogging led to an irreversible loss of blood that would have killed Jesus without crucifixion. The development of renal failure and infection alone would have killed Jesus. But, the final heart failure and asphyxiation on the cross leaves no doubt that it would have been impossible for Jesus of Nazareth to have survived his torture and execution. He could not wake up after a long “nap” in a dark tomb, rolled away a massive stone, appeared before his followers in pristine condition and then run off with his bride.

The feet were nailed so that the victim would have to push up to breath. With the arms outstretched, the lungs are distended into a condition of permanent inspiration. Only by pushing up could a victim exhale. Literally every breath was agonizing! But, the victim could not keep this up forever.

Eventually, fatigue settles in and the victim can no longer breath effectively. Carbon dioxide builds up in the blood and forms carbonic acid. The heart is affected and begins to fail. Clear fluid builds up around the lungs and heart.

Eventually, the victim asphyxiates and As a medical expert there is no doubt dies from heart failure.

Jesus of Nazareth died on the cross as the result of his injuries. To think The scriptures mention a spear otherwise is to ignore the enormous being thrust into the side of Jesus and weight of solid, scientific evidence. clear water and blood flowing out. For Like every person, you, the juror must centuries, this event was criticized as now decide what you believe. Did being impossible. But, with the build Jesus of Nazareth die on the cross for up of fluid around the lungs and the our sins? There is no doubt! heart, the spear would first Bruce Hennigan, M.D.

release clear fluid before piercing the blood filled heart.

Luke records an astonishing medical fact that can only now be appreciated lending credibility to his account.

is a local physician, published author and professional speaker. For more information on his ministry and books go to www.brucehennigan.com

If a Roman soldier took a victim down from the cross and they were still alive, the soldier would be

April 2012

13

Gifted Children believe it’s time to begin in our homes a “Gifted Moms” program.

I Why should “gifted children” get all the press? Hey, where do they think these gifted kids came from? E-Bay? The spring clearance rack at

Marshalls? No, we gave birth to these brainy, precocious, talented children.

I’m telling you right now – you show me a two year old child that can recite Shakespeare while playing the cello with Yo-Yo Ma and I’ll show you a gifted umbilical cord that leads right back to – you guessed it – us.

So how can you know for sure if you belong in the “Gifted Moms” program? Can you read and memorize a �ashing caller ID number at 2:00 a.m. in the pitch dark while holding a colicky baby in one arm and working out on your Bow�ex® with the other?

Can you deliver fourteen kids in a minivan all to their right homes during a snowstorm while ordering out Chinese for supper on your cell phone without asking for an address? You must also be able to spell out Moo Goo Gai Pan and General Chao’s chicken in Mandarin if necessary. De�nitely gifted.

Can you tell your husband which pile in the basement his favorite polo shirt is in while shoving de-worming pills down the throat of your Labrador retriever? Can you pull the polo shirt out of the dog’s mouth while stopping your husband from swallowing the de-worming pills because his thinks they are his high blood pressure medicine? Very gifted.

How do you know that you are a “Gifted Mom?” Well, you do your child’s science fair project and get them to believe that they did it 100 percent on

14 Faith and Family

=

Gifted Moms

?

their own. Now that takes a talented mom to pull that off.

A Gifted Mom can actually shower, do their hair, cook, teach, clean, pay bills, launder, drive, get out lots of hugs and recycle. She does this while making/canceling appointments and shuf�ing pounds of paper into an organized calendar, all while maintaining a sense of humor!

So what kind of special programs should be offered for “Gifted Moms”?

How about a recital where “Gifted Moms” can recite all the arti�cial additives they don’t let their children eat (in alphabetical order of course)?

How about a one week special wilderness camp for Gifted Moms? Gifted Moms could plan their home school curriculum while repelling off cliffs using their old panty hose as bungee cords. Hang in there Mom! Of course, there would be Ph.D. courses for really, really gifted Moms.

We’ll call these special, over the top Moms, Dr. Moms. Dr. Moms receive this special degree if they have �rst: Served the entire soccer team a full picnic meal complete with organic vegetarian hot dogs, organic macaroni and cheese, oranges, juice boxes, and apples – while the team was still on the �eld and the game was still in progress (and without receiving a yellow card).

Posted by:

Cheryl Moeller

Stand up Comic for Moms

sbfaithandfamily.com

New Lifeand New Hope:

Y

ou should see my geraniums.

I bought and planted two geranium plants three years ago, placing them in two pots on either side of the front steps leading up to my house. I hear these geraniums are annuals and I really shouldn’t keep seeing red flowers bloom every spring, but there they are in all their glory- blooming again for the third year in a row. It doesn’t get extremely cold down here in Louisiana, but still... I found myself some hardy plants. Or maybe it’s a sign.

Lately, I’ve been looking for signs of resurrected life all around me.

Sunday morning, Jack taught on Matthew 28- the resurrection of Jesus.

What really struck me, what I can’t get out of my head was his question about the women who came to the empty tomb and their emotional response to their angelic encounter- the news that their Lord had been resurrected. Matthew 28:8 says that they were “afraid yet filled with joy.”

Had I ever had these opposing emotions simultaneously, my husband asks. Then my two buddies to my left immediately responded with what I guess was the right answer: the birth of their children. Joyful occasions no doubt, but the extraction of a baby from the body is a little terrifying in and of itself and then there’s the whole Iam-now-responsible-for-the-upbringingand-well being-of-another-eternal-being thing.

I thought about what Jesus’ new life meant and how those women must have felt. Was it at all like I felt when my children were born?

Life and especially resurrected life is so beautiful and so holy that I think maybe they did. Maybe they felt a much greater measure of joy and a much greater measure of holy fear than I did on that first birth day. Jesus was alive. Jesus is alive. I’m trying to wrap my mind around

Happy

that, but I sometimes get discouraged because I have such a hard time grasping it, holding onto it, and running with it.

But it’s true. Jesus IS alive. And we will live with Him with resurrected bodies forever with Him on earth. I just wish it didn’t boggle my death-ridden mind, body, and soul so much.

I want to stand for life. I want to seek salvation in small acts of redemption and the final hope of the resurrection. I want to feel what those women felt over and over again. I want to know that hope.

And I think I’m starting to see life in a different way. We carry such heavy loads of death everywhere we go and I’m starting to appreciate the acts of redemption that will carry on after we’ve been fully and completely restored to what we were really created to be.

It’s Brenda who takes a stand for life, defying her doctor’s recommendations for abortion, and holding her daughter every night in her arms as she falls asleep. It’s her arms that will hold sweet Bela day after day and night after night as she recovers for weeks and weeks in the hospital after major heart surgery.

It’s my friends who moved their young, pregnant family halfway around the world so that people in Asia would know the hope of the Gospel, giving them new life and new hope.

It’s Lydia who has a heart for adoptionthat one more child would have a brand new life and a mother and father who really love them.

It’s Korrie, pregnant with her fourth child in four years, bravely embarking on the joy and servanthood of a large family.

It’s my friend who works tirelessly at the hospital during his residency, trying to impart healing amidst rampant death and disease.

It’s the patient who works and strains to strengthen his body, praying and fighting with all of his might to come out from under the heavy burden of cancer.

It’s amazing feats of life.

It’s the grandmother rocking and feeding her grandchild so that her daughter might have the refreshment and renewal that time away from her children can bring.

It’s my husband, working to bring words of life to the group of believers the Lord has given him.

ResurrectionDay

It’s you as you forgive, bringing life to a dead relationship.

It’s me as I lay hands on my children to pray on their behalf at night.

All of it requires sacrifice, but all of it brings life.

And ultimately... and this is a big ultimately... it’s Jesus bringing new life at the resurrection. That’s what He’s about.

He makes all things new. This present darkness that is filled with death at every turn WILL be overturned with light and truth and LIFE. True life. For real.

Forever.

Until that Day, let us look for life and stand for life and work for life in all its forms as we grow in love with the One who gives it.

You should see my geraniums.

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:9-11 “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalm 56:13 “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39 “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” I Corinthians 15:20 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.

They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Revelation 21:3-5 He is Risen! Happy Resurrection Day! May we all celebrate in the light of life!

Candace Chaney Shreveport, LA

April 2012

15

Let Us

Rejoice and

be Glad

Symbols of the resurrection [of Christ] are clear and intelligible: guile and jealousy have been banished, quarrels have been suppressed, peace is honored, and war is �nished. No longer do we torment ourselves over Adam, the �rst-formed man, but we glorify the second Adam. No longer do we turn away from the wood, but we bear the Cross of the Lord. No longer do we dread the serpent, but we fear the Holy Spirit.

No longer do we descend to earth, but we rise up to heaven. No longer are we cast out of Paradise, but we live in the bosom of Abraham. No longer do we hear, like Israel, “You shall stumble by day as by night” [cf.

Hos 4:5], but we hymn a spiritual song: “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Why should we do so? Because the sun is no longer darkened, but all things are illumined; because the veil of the Temple is no longer rent, but the Church is made known; because we no longer carry branches of palms, but we bear the newly Illumined [members of Christ’s Body].

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!”This is the day—today and no other—for there is only one queen and not a crowd of princesses.

This is the day par excellence, the triumphant day, consecrated to the Resurrection, when we share a

16 Faith and Family

spiritual Lamb. [There follows an exhortation to avoid drunkenness, but to forsake the taverns and celebrate the day with sobriety, singing hymns in the homes.] Let none among you dishonor this day, which was formerly pre�gured by the Law, which was promised with a threat [of judgment] and proclaimed by the voice of the prophets. This day has been awaited because of the promise made to the Fathers, which was ful�lled by what the Apostles saw with their eyes and was received by the faith of the Church.

This is the day on which Adam was set free, when Eve was delivered from her grief, when vicious Death trembled. On this day the power of the stones was broken and the locks on the tombs smashed, the bodies of the dead were restored to their former life, and the constraining laws of subterranean powers were abrogated. On this day of the resurrection of our Master Christ, the heavens were opened...

This, then, is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, with joy and gladness, by the grace of Christ.

By his Resurrection he illumines the entire world, which formerly lay “in darkness and the shadow of death” (Mt. 4:16). Glory and worship be given to him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages! Amen.

sbfaithandfamily.com

April 2012

17

18 Faith and Family

sbfaithandfamily.com

Health and Wellness

EXERCISE

with Purpose

WANNA GO FOR A RUN? You may get that question a lot more as the weather warms up and daylight savings time gives way to longer evenings. Say yes to the run request and get moving!

Like many things in life, having an accountability partner for your fitness challenge can increase your success. When you combine working out with a partner and working out with a purpose the results are twofold.

This spring there are many opportunities to join an organization to raise support for their cause. You can take on a personal challenge or join a team that is dedicated to a loved one who is battling a certain illness.

Join a ‘movement’ and get moving. You’ll see results inside and out.

UPCOMING RUN OR WALK CHALLENGES IN THE SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER AREA Walk a Mile in Our Shoes: Autism 5K. Benefitting the Educational Center for Austim and Raising Community Awareness. April 28 starting with Fun Run (1/2 mile) beginning at 9:00 am, and 5k begins at 9:15 am. Race will start and finish at Shreveport Community Church. To register visit www.sportspectrumusa.com Spring Spectacular brought to you by Sportspectrum of Shreveport and the Junior Service League of Minden. April 7, beginning at 8:00am(Fun Run 1⁄2 mile) and 5k begins at 8:30am.

Race will begin at the Minden Presbyterian Church located at 1001 Broadway Ave.

Doodah 5k Sunday April 22; 1⁄2 mile fun run starts at 2:00; 5k starts at 2:30; Clyde Fant Parkway at Veterans Park for more info visit www.Holidayindixie.com

New Balance Uptown Run brought to you by New Balance Shreveport & Sportspectrum. May 5, 8:00am. A beautiful run/walk through the South Highlands Neighborhood. Race starts and finishes at Uptown Shopping Center, 5208 Line Ave.

Holy Angels Run with the Angels, 11th Annual David Rice memorial walk/run.

May 19, 8:00am.

Holy Angels’ David Rice Memorial Walk/Run is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together for a fun event while making a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Race will start at Holy Angels Residential Facility, 10450 Ellerbe Rd.

Kids on the Run Series, An Elementary Running Club Race Series sponsored by Sportspectrum Race Management. Entry fee is: $5. Run will begin at Centenary Campus Near the Library, April 12, 5:00

April 2012

19

Wa i t i n g o n M e a l s

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor event; the sun was shining on the participants who were decked out in RED, as they spread across Texas Street for the Annual March for Meals on Wheels. Byrd’s band, cheer squad and mascot were on hand to help motivate the crowd with rhythmic tunes. The wind didn’t blow in enough funds for the Caddo Council on Aging to eliminate hunger among the elderly in our community. This fundraising effort helps provide almost 1000 seniors a hot, nutritious, meal, delivered throughout Shreveport.

For many recipients, it is their only social interaction and their only hot meal of the day. The program is designed for seniors (over 60) that have physical impairments which diminish their ability to cook nutritious meals and is available a no cost to those who qualify. The program operates very efficiently on grants and donations. In fact, the CCOA implemented a delivery system utilizing businesses and volunteers to help deliver meals through stations. The station concept was an innovative tool to spread awareness and resources. It’s also a quick way to lend a hand as a volunteer can deliver about 8 meals in about 45 minutes or less. Mary Alice Rountree, executive director, for the CCOA embraces support for our aging very passionately.

Have you ever thought about growing old? Imagine being alone and waiting for a meal that never comes.

That is exactly what many seniors citizens right here in Caddo Parish deal with everyday. At least 200 seniors are waiting for meals. You can help. Mail a donation to CCOA, 4015 Greenwood Rd., Shreveport, LA. 71109 or donate on line at www.CaddoCouncilonAging.org

Resurrection Rolls You will need:

-Pillsbury Grands -Large marshmallows -Melted butter -Sugar -Cinnamon

Little Bits

For the past two years, Easter Story Cookies, have been a part of our Easter celebration. This year we have also added two more sweet treats to the mix. They were a lot of fun to create and yummy to eat, so I thought I would share the goodness. Little man was napping, so he didn’t get to partake in the fun this year. However, I am sure he will be all about the sweets next Easter.

First, we made Resurrection Rolls.

2. Each child gets one large marshmallow. This represents Jesus: it is white because it stands for His purity and His sinless life. Place the marshmallow in the center of the 1. Have each child flatten a biscuit biscuit; then fold the sides around it until it’s about 5 inches across. Then forming a “tomb.” Place them crease they spread melted butter, sugar side down on a baking sheet so they and cinnamon on it. Explain that the won’t open while cooking. Put more spices represent the spices used to butter, cinnamon and sugar on the anoint Jesus’ body before His burial. outside. Talk about the sweet taste of the spices and how Jesus gave us the sweetest gift we will ever receive.

20 Faith and Family

4. When the children bite into their buns, they will be surprised to find 3. Bake the rolls according to the directions on the biscuit package. the center empty. The marshmallow Note: they need a little extra cooling has melted. As each child discovers time because the marshmallow the empty tomb, we celebrate that “He is not here; He has risen, just as makes them very hot.

He said.” (Matthew 28:6)

sbfaithandfamily.com

April calendar March 31- April 8 Easter Egg Hunt!

Bass Pro Shop- Every Saturday & Sunday 1pm for 1 hour. Registration begins at 12:30 at main entrance. Hunt starts promptly at 1pm. Find 5 eggs and return to registration for candy. Ages 2-10.

April 8

Celebration Easter Service Celebration Church You are Invited!! Join us at Celebration Church on Easter Sunday for Pastor’s Sermon “Person of Interest”! Awesome service planned for your Kids. BBQ lunch will be served immediately following the service. Egg Hunt and Bounce House for the Kids! April 8th 10:30 AM at LSU-Shreveport University Center Theater.

Invite your family and friends.

April 13

Mark Trammel Gospel Quartert

April 7

Family Fun Day

Gateway Church-For the kids, we’re having face painting, crafts, jump houses, slides and obstacles courses! In addition, we’ll have mechanical bull rides and a 25-foot climbing wall for the young at heart. We are proud to announce that we’ll be offering free makeovers by licensed beauticians and Mary Kay consultants, free haircuts, and free family portraits throughout the day! 10AM-2PM!

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bossier, City. Come and celebrate their message of Christ through their gift of music.

The CHORDSMITH will open the concert at 7:00 PM. This promises to be a lively, uplif ting gospel concert you will not want to miss. A love offering will be collected.

Church-Wide Easter Egg Hunt

Walk for the Word

Invite friends and neighbors to the FBC Shreveport Easter Egg Hunt. This will be held Saturday, April 7th from 10:00 - 11:30 AM near the Activites Center. A children’s devotion, blow-ups, cake walk, games and much more will take place at this FUN for the whole family, annual event. Invite friends and neighbors!

April 15

The Martins in concert At Central Assembly of God. 6:00pm, admission is free.

April 30

WHAT’S COOKING? Eat Out for Heart of Hope, a Sanctuary for Women on the last Monday of the month Counter Culture – (t wo locations) 6104 Line Ave Shreveport 4726 East Texas Bossier City Monday, April 30th ALL DAY A percentage of the sales will go directly to the ministry

April 14

Red River Bicycle/Walking Trail The event is to help sponsor a college aged student to be a staffer with an organization out of Shreveport called Clear Camps. The organization travels during the summer putting on camps for youth aged students.

Clear is like camp in a box, we provide worship, recreation, bible study, friendship, and most of Celebration of Easter & Egg Hunt all we get to share the love of God with over 1,000 people during the summer. We begin the Broadmoor Presbyterian Church journey in June and end August 1. Each staffer When: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday Where: Fellowship Hall and grounds of Broadmoor who is chosen has to raise $1,500 to travel. By Presbyterian Church, 1915 Grover Place, the staffer raising the money we help lower Shreveport (east side of Arthur Circle Elementary) the cost for kids to come to camp. There is a Featuring: A celebration of Easter for children website link that is attached at the end, so ages 2-10, parents, grandparents, friends and you can have the opportunity to donate. The neighbors, including crafts, games, spacewalks, goal is set to $5,000 but we are trusting God egg hunt and refreshments. Bring your basket to provide more than that amount. Help us be the hands and feet for God by sponsoring us in and invite a friend. Admission: Free this 10 mile walk on April 14, 2012. God is a Community Wide Easter Egg Hunt provider and we are asking his people to have a hand in helping these staffers go and be the Central Assembly of God hand and feet for God for summer 2012!

10am. Over 5,000 eggs filled with candy, http://www.indiegogo.com/Walk-for-the-Word prizes and money.

GET LISTED!

To submit calendar listings, send information to sbfaithandfamily@gmail. com. Include the name of the event, date and time, venue address, short description, appropriate age range, fee, phone number and website address. Submissions are listed on a space-available basis. Weʼd love to include high-resolutions photos, as well. Deadline for the April Calendar is April15.

April 2012

21

Quips and Quotes

OUR ADVERTISERS Ashley Ridge Imaging Barksdale Federal Credit Union Caddo Council on Aging Cajun Belle’s Cuisine Carl Cochran Cosse and Silmon Orthodontics Cypress Baptist Curch Firsrt United Methoist Church, Bossier First United Methodist Church, Shreveport Hands in Hands Holy Angels LifeWay Litton Mortgage 5, Miracle 89.1 OCA Bossier Mission Ratcliff Animal Hospital Reynold’s Family

2 24 5 8 23 18 8 9 4 8 6 5 23 14 10 5 14

FREE -- Admit 1 child!

“All You Can Play” game room All New Kiddie Mia’s Funcenter 3055 Knight St., Shreveport, LA 71105 This coupon good Saturday or Sunday only 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

(Not valid for birthday parties or groups).

Regular price $5.00

Wise Words Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung on the tree. The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heavens with clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face. The bridegroom of the church is affixed to the cross with nails. The Son of the virgin is pierced by a spear.

We worship thy passion, O Christ. Show us also they glorious resurrection.

- Hymn from Holy Thursday Night Service

22 Faith and Family

sbfaithandfamily.com

April 2012

23