Finding Love Half-Way Around the World: An Adoption Story

May 17, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

In April of 2004, Will and Sherri Sakson embarked on a journey that would change their lives, and their family, forever. The Sakson’s wanted a baby: someone that they could love, cherish, and nurture. Little did they know that their simple desire would lead them half-way around the world with 13 other families desiring the same thing.

After trying, without success, to conceive naturally, Will and Sherri Sakson felt a shift in their hearts. “We began to feel a different calling, a calling to adopt,” explained Will. “Love is an infinite thing. You can’t run out of it. We knew that we had love to share. We had something worth sharing with someone: our faith, our marriage, our home.” Thus began the Sakson’s journey to find Zoe, the daughter awaiting them on the other side of the world

“The first 6 months was a paper chase,” explained Will concerning the process of filing for adoption. Locating documents, submitting forms, and meeting with social workers, consumed much of the next year. However, nearly 12 months later, all the waiting became worth it. In April of 2005, Sherri and Will received the document containing the identity of their soon-to-be daughter. In an instant, they were ready to bring her home. Six weeks later, the Saksons found themselves on a plane to do just that.

Will and Sherri used Great Wall Adoption, a non-profit located in Austin, Texas throughout their adoption process. Great Wall Adoption has assisted the Chinese Government in placing more than 9,000 children with families. In April 2005, there were thirteen families adopting children alongside the Saksons. Soon after arriving, these thirteen families found themselves together in a conference room in Lan Zhou, China, anxiously anticipating the moment that would change their lives forever.

All eyes were trained on the elevator doors attached to the conference room: every parent knowing that once the doors opened, they would gaze for the first time into the eyes of their child. As the doors opened, groups of people carrying babies exited. “It was all very surreal,” explained Will while depicting the gravity and overwhelming joy of the moment. Tears flowed freely from the eyes of moms, babies, and dads alike. The room buzzed with happiness and newfound love, every family swapping cameras and taking photos for each other.

After eight more days of bonding and fellowship, the Sakson family returned to the States with Zoe, their daughter. Will and Sherri were greeted at the airport by their parents and in-laws. Reflecting on that day, Will remarks, “It was so great to let her meet her grandparents”. The journey to finding Zoe had ended, and a new life, full of amazing experiences and adventure, awaited.

Though many years have passed, the families that gathered in the conference room on that fateful day share a bond unlike any other. They remain in close contact and get together as much as they can. Since being back in the States, they have had two reunions, one of which was hosted by the Sakson’s in College Station, Texas.

In ten short days, Zoe will be thirteen years old. Her father, still as in love as he was the moment he first laid eyes on her, proudly remarks, “She is a great kid. She is everything that you would want your child to be.”

7 Questions: Rev. Caressa Murray & Rev. Jonathan Murray

May 16, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

7 Questions

with Rev. Caressa Murray & Rev. Jonathan Murray of Covenant Presbyterian

What makes your church a home for those seeking the Lord?

Covenant Presbyterian is a place where all are welcome, no matter your stage of faith – whether you are new to the faith, grew up in the faith, or it’s been a long while. We are all seeking the Lord, but we find ourselves in different phases of our walk in faith. Covenant is a place where you can come and be yourself – whether you are at a good place in life or find yourself struggling or in need of healing. Covenant is a place of grace where you encounter God through worship and relationships with one another.

This issue of Peace Magazine is all about serving the community. What are some of the benefits of serving? As Christians, are we called to serve?

We are called to put our faith into action and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world today. This world is a broken and hurting place, and now, more than ever, Christians are called to serve so the world might encounter “Jesus with skin-on.” The benefits of serving are seeing peoples’ lives transformed, encountering God in new and different ways, and getting a glimpse of God’s kingdom here and now.

What is your favorite character in the Bible and why?

Rev. Caressa: My favorite character in the bible is actually a dynamic duo: Mary and Martha. I seek to be like Mary, carving out time in the daily “to do’s” to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen and learn. At the same time, I resonate with Martha in her diligent and heartfelt task-oriented ambition to serve. I seek to have a heart like Mary in the busy world of Martha!

Rev. Jonathan: Despite the brash personality quirks, I admire John the Baptizer, because everything he does points to Christ. He knows he is unworthy, and yet his role is to lead others to recognize and interact with God in the new Kingdom come and coming.

What impact has serving, either in church or in the community, had on you as an individual?

When I serve others, I am compelled to break through the cultural barriers and stereotypes and see people for who they really are – a beloved child of God, uniquely and wonderfully made in God’s image. I no longer see black or white, rich or poor, whole or broken, but my eyes are opened to a brother or sister in need. By serving others, I am humbled and reminded that I too am a child of God in need of God’s transforming grace.

What is the purpose of the local church?

The Church exists to gather the Body of Christ: the broken and the healed; the lost and the found; the haves and the have nots; the newbies and the veterans of the faith, to encounter God’s Living Word and give thanks and praise for who God is and what God has done, is doing, and will do. The church encourages people to learn and grow in their faith, and empowers people to discover their gift and niche for God’s ministry and put that into practice.

How does your church serve the community?

Covenant is committed to serving others through hands-on mission, sharing of resources, financial support, and prayer. Within its walls, Covenant provides facilities and resources for two Boy Scout troops and three Girl Scout troops, community groups, like the Brazos Valley Community Band, and provides a full-time childcare facility and a part-time day school for families in the surrounding neighborhoods. Covenant serves the young people of the community by providing a safe place for our youth to grow and learn in faith through experiences to serve others.

Jesus commands us to go forth and make disciples. How can Christians do this in their daily lives?

By being connected to God, the Vine, we are empowered to branch out. “Going forth and making disciples” must be a daily activity. As disciples, we are to be aware of God’s presence and seek to participate with God, who is at work in and around us. As Christians, we are to be intentional about finding ways to meet people where they are, hear their story, share our story, and welcome them into God’s story. When we do, we open the door for the story to be unfolded and God’s impact to be made in the lives of another, and that is when disciples are made.

Life in the Middle by Tammy Whitehurst

May 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Life in the Middle

by Tammy Whitehurst

Life isn’t sugar coated. It can leave us upside down and spinning around. It would be great if it was as simple as doing the hokey pokey and turning ourselves around. But, it’s rarely that easy. Life has a beginning and an ending. It’s the things in the middle that build our character, strength, patience, and most of all our faith. The middle is life’s wilderness filled with struggles, strains, tears and fears. A jungle of sorts. The good news is we can grow there.

In the middle is where we go our way or God’s way. Many of us have tried both. It didn’t take long to realize we needed the hand of Jesus to walk us through. In the middle is the realization of how fast time flies, how to make the most of life, how messes make us stronger, and how to finish with a focus. God doesn’t promise life to be all roses and red hots, but He does promise it is going to be worth it in the end. If our goal is to finish strong, we must make it through the middle.

Time Flies

Life has a big bulldozer called time and it doesn’t come with brakes. We watch our children go from diapers to dates in no time flat. We have learned a few things through the years and now we can look forward to the days ahead. We discover we are wiser as the wrinkles begin to claim space on our face. Friendships take on a deeper meaning. Stopping to smell the roses is finally understood. We realize staring death in the face, rising above it, and emerging stronger is possible.

By this age, we have seen modern day miracles, and we can laugh in the face of a challenge. We fight with faith instead of fists. We realize a step backwards after a step forward is not a complete disaster; it’s the cha-cha. Most of us have danced it a long time before we realized a waltz with the Word was more satisfying. There are unexpected delights in the days ahead. Don’t miss a single moment of what God is teaching through life in the middle.

Life Is What We Make Of It

Do you ever feel like you’re running in circles making no progress? We all have dreams and goals we want to fulfill. But life is confusing and chaotic at times.

We all remember the days of looking eye to eye at someone and saying, “Make me.” Our days are what we make of them. We can make an entrance, make it work, or make a mistake. We can make believe, make memories, make a mess, or make up our mind. We can make some noise, and in some instances make up for lost time. Our journey in life will be what we make of it. Let’s make it a journey that kicks life up a notch by asking God to use the messes in the middle and show us the beauty in the midst of the mess.

In The Mess Is A Message

If we are honest, we will admit life not a walk in the park. There comes a point when we will stare at the biggest challenge of our life and realize we are not in control. There is good news. We have a Messiah named Jesus to lean on. He gives us peace through life in the middle of all the mess. If we lean on Him when we need strength and trust Him even if we do not understand, we will be okay. We have had days when we wondered if that was true. But when we take it one day at a time, our Savior will clean up our messes. In the middle of the mess we become stronger.

Begin the day focusing on what really matters. Find reasons to be thankful. Remind yourself that Jesus is in the middle with you and will work things out in His time.

Focus on the Finish Line

Don’t give up. Life is not about who finishes first. It is about who finishes —–period. Just get through the middle. We cannot move forward, sideways, or any way because we are stuck in the rut of worry. It leads to relational, emotional, and yes, even physical problems. It is a view that somehow God lost control of the situation.

He didn’t.

Our problems are not too big for God to handle. Be a warrior not a worrier. Take it one day at a time to get to the finish line.

Beginnings set the stage and the end sums life up, but the middle always tells the story. Your story has power even if you think it’s not fancy. It’s not about being in the spotlight. It’s about discovering the Light. The true light in the darkness. It’s about surviving rock bottom and knowing where the strength to rise comes from when you are still in the middle. It’s about the trials that lead to triumphs in the end. Your story can help people get right side up when everything is upside down.

With all Paul endured while in the middle of his life, the apostle tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Previously published in Lifeway Mature Years 2015
Tammy Whitehurst is a Christian motivational speaker and writer from Texas who is an empty nester living on the lake with her husband and german shepherd. To learn more about her go to TammyWhitehurst.com

Broken Bread by Monica Huffer

May 2, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Broken Bread

by Monica Huffer

Close your eyes and imagine the miracles the apostles had stored inside their memories. Peter walking across water, like a toddler testing the foundations of the world for the first time. Jesus asking for food to feed thousands when only a few pieces of bread and a couple fish could be found. The anxiety of telling Jesus there was no food or money to nourish the people He lovingly looked upon. The fear of worrying He would rebuke you for not understanding, for not being or having enough. The grace and wonderment of seeing Him take the minim and multiplying it beyond belief. Do I want to multiply bread? Yes. The answer is, and will always be, a resounding yes. I want to stand at the throne of God and have miracles pour out of my hands knowing it’s only possibly because He died to send His Spirit and have it dwell within my bones – to give life more abundant and brilliant than what could ever be imagined.

But sometimes I long for a physical miracle and miss the true miracle of Jesus. Sometimes I want the gift and forget the giver. The truth is Christ is the living bread. To take communion is to remember this facet of His being. He broke His bones wide open before us and freely let each be crushed beneath our sin in order to infuse ours with everlasting life. He poured the Blood of His life into a cup to let us taste the only sacrifice strong and pure and righteous enough to shake the scales of sin and death. He is broken Bread, multiplied without end for each one who calls out in starvation to be filled with His nourishing presence.

While I delight in the ability to multiply physical bread and feed grumbling bellies; my soul is starving for Christ to take root in my inner being and teach me to crush my bones for the starved and drain my veins for the lost. I want to be broken so those who feel broken can be healed, so the works the Lord allows me to do in His name are expounded without end for His glory – crying out Holy is the King who made a way.

We may be amazed by miracles, but we are made for servitude. Not a forced servitude, bound in chains to a cruel master; but a chosen service to the one who set us free and whispers beloved promises from His throne. A servitude where the more you work the less weary you become, the more you give of yourself the more there is to give. A servitude where joy is the standard and miracles are commonplace, because you walk in the light of the King – a light able to raise the dead and give sight to the blind. A servitude where five pieces of bread and a two fish feed five thousand with twelve baskets leftover.

Jesus promises in Matthew 10:39, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Each one of us has felt the tug of the world. The desire to cling to our lives, regardless of the death awaiting at the end. I’m my short life, I’ve realized the compassion of Christ to this plight. He rejoices in every freewill offering, every small piece of our lives we lay before His throne. Start with a prayer or scripture or decision to lay down fear and take up hope in Him despite what you see and are told about the world. If you give what you can for the day, the Lord sees and multiplies your offering into an abundance. An abundance of joy. An abundance of strength. An abundance of healing. If you haven’t made Christ Lord of your life, ask Him to take root in your heart. Ask to be emptied of the world and filled with His Spirit. Ask to be taught from His endless stores of wisdom and knowledge. Ask for faith to move mountains. Ask to be surrounded by people who can encourage and help you. Seek all these things and you will find them. Seek Christ and you will find life – a life of multiplication, no longer bound by years or the strength of your hands, but unrestricted and higher than the grandest imaginations of men. A life where multiplying bread is as simple as sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

10 Prayers for Your Daugher

April 26, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

By Lysa Terkeurst

There is something I’ve come to realize I need to guard against as a mom. I sometimes want to be God in my kids’ lives.

I want to write their stories.

I want to set the courses of their futures.

I want to determine what’s best for them.

I want to prevent them from ever being hurt.

I want to be their provider and protector.

And I want to be the one to set anyone straight who messes with my kids.

Can you relate on any level? I think most moms can. We love these people entrusted to us more than we ever knew possible. And despite all the infant sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, tween eye rolling, and the teen decisions that break our heart slap in two… they are ours. To love. To lead. To launch.

And we want to make it all good.

But then things happen so beyond our control we eventually have to face the reality that we aren’t God. And we can’t operate like we are.

So what do we do with that gap where our mommy capabilities end and trusting God begins? I want to trust God with everything beyond my control with my kids but it’s so scary. It feels so risky.

And scary and risky are two words us moms don’t want as part of our kids’ lives.

So, how do we deepen our trust in God? How do we make peace with the limits of what we can and cannot protect them from? What do we do with the risky and scary feelings that can make a mom lose sleep at best and feel crazed with fear at worst?

We must fill that gap with the only thing that bridges the space between our limitations and our trust in God… prayer.

I know, I know – that can sound like such a cliché Christian answer. Typical. Too hyper-spiritual. Not the answer we want sometimes.

But prayer is the only possibility with real possibility.

Earlier this week my friend, Brooke McGlothlin, wrote an article I posted on Scriptural prayers for boys. Today, I want to post some specific Scriptural prayers for our girls.

I’ve prayed these and I’ve seen amazingly powerful things happen in the lives of my daughters.

I can still fret and worry and want to mess with anyone who messes with my girls.

My girls still make mistakes, and cross lines, and give the principal reasons to call me.

But where would we all be if the power of prayer wasn’t in the mix of our lives?

And what might these prayers be working out for their futures that I won’t see for years to come?

Yes, prayer is the only possibility with real possibility. And that brings me to the place where I can finally say… “Hello, my name is Mom. Not God.”

10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Daughter:

Give my daughter a deep desire to listen to You, Lord, and pray often, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14b).
Let her learn early in life that to obey You, God, is the best way to the life her heart truly desires, (1 Samuel 15:22).
May she find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach her, hold her, and rescue her, (2 Samuel 22:17-18).
May she please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom, (1 Kings 3:9-12).
Let her find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and she doesn’t know what to do, by keeping her eyes fixed on You, (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Give her a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within her so her ears will turn to Your wisdom, (Proverbs 2:1-2).
May she keep herself under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger her, (Proverbs 29:11).
Give her the ability to rise above the traps of people pleasing so she can be kept safe by trusting You, Lord, (Proverbs 29:25).
Let her walk in the security of Your assigned worth to her. Give her a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all her tasks. Give her a heart that desires to extend her hand to those in need. Protect her for the right husband, a man of respect and godly honor. And let her be a woman of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes her most beautiful, (Proverbs chapter 31).
And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” she does so with great grace, (Matthew 4:19).

Modern Day Miracle: Turning Tragedy into Testimony

April 3, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

When Sean speaks, people listen. Public speaker Sean Carter speaks via an iPad, but it’s a special calling that Sean knows God himself has placed on his life: to encourage teenagers and young adults not to give up, to look for our hope in Christ, and to choose not to drink and drive.

Sean and his mom will both tell you that his life as a public speaker is really a miracle of God taking something tragic and using it for his glory. They travel the country speaking at schools, churches, and other organizations through their non-profit, WhenSeanSpeaks, Inc., but the hope, faith, and joy that is such a deep part of Sean’s life came through very painful circumstances.

About eleven years ago, Sean and a friend were coming home from a night of drinking, when Sean’s friend wrecked their truck against a tree. The friend wasn’t injured at all, but Sean received a traumatic brain injury that left him in a coma for weeks, and his life has never been the same again. When he woke up, he was not paralyzed at all, but his brain had lost the ability to tell his body what to do.

Sean’s physical challenges were extremely difficult; he had to relearn basic things like how to swallow, and how to shift his body. He also had a lot of spiritual challenges, wondering why this happened to him, and how he could ever live a valuable, independent, or pleasant life again. Although those painful times were the darkest times of Sean’s life, they also gave Sean the authority to tell others that they can still have hope, and created the reason why he is now a public speaker.

Sean says the greatest change came when he realized that God loves him, that there’s nothing he can do to make God stop loving him, and that the reason this happened wasn’t because God might not love him. Sean says he realized that a lifetime of trying to make things work on his own, over and over, was crazy, and he was ready for a change. That’s when he decided to really start submitting his life to Jesus Christ, and he has been growing closer to God ever since.

Sean will tell you that his life is a miracle, especially if you look at the truck from the wreck. Although none of his healing has been instantaneous, he says that he trusts God, he knows that God loves him, and he’s thankful for the ways that God has used him in teens’ lives. Sean says that he and his mom often receive emails or letters from teenagers who tell them that Sean’s story deeply encouraged them. They’ve even gotten letters from people who were contemplating suicide, but when they saw the joy and the purpose in Sean’s life despite his disabilities, it gave them more hope for their own lives.

Life still has its challenges for Sean, but he loves where he is. After spending the last ten years in a wheelchair, last year after a lot of hard work and intense therapy, Sean can now walk with a walker. Sean continues to work hard to learn to walk unassisted, and to talk again. He loves College Station, his Bible study and his group of friends that he’s made at Grace Bible Church, where he feels like “part of the gang.” Sean says he’s learning more truth about the Bible and God’s love for him and others every day. Meanwhile, he’s working with a friend to put together an autobiography that he hopes to eventually have available at his speaking events, and he’s still traveling to schools and speaking out against drunk driving. If you feel like there’s a tragedy that you can’t overcome in your life, he hopes you will think of him, a successful public speaker despite his disabilities, and be encouraged that God can heal and use you, too!

If you’d like to learn more about Sean Carter’s story, are interested in learning more about traumatic brain injury, or would like to hire Sean to speak at an event, please, visit his website at www.WhenSeanSpeaks.com.

Faith & Business: Q&A With Kent Lyons, Owner of Amish Furniture for Generations

March 31, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Amish photo

What is the name of your business and what do you do?

Amish Furniture for Generations.

The name of the business implies everything that I do. We sell furniture made by Amish craftsmen that will last for generations. The Amish are noted for their quality of craftsmanship as well as their lifestyle. Not only is the craftsmanship excellent, they are using quality materials. We have a very large variety of pieces available for all areas of the house. Whether it is dining, living, bedroom, office or outdoor furniture, we carry it all. We also have the ability to offer customization on existing pieces or drawing something completely from scratch to fit the customer’s needs.

What is the best advice you could pass onto a Christian hoping to start a business in the secular world?

The best advice that I could give a person starting up a business for themselves is to pray and have a clear understanding of what you want to do. Then lay out a plan, including monetary goals or restrictions. Never lose sight of who is really in control of the big picture. Sound Christian principles can seem like a thing of the past, but they are more important today than ever. Honesty, integrity and courtesy are traits needed to succeed.

How do you incorporate your faith into your business?

I incorporate my faith into my business through being grounded in God’s word. Without a sure foundation in Christ, whatever you accomplish will not benefit you in eternity. Keeping that in mind, God’s Word will have the answers you need. How to deal with people, money, problems etc. I have had many challenges in the 14 years that I have owned my business. When I face things I am not knowledgeable in, I pray. I can’t count the number of times I have had help come to me: from many different directions and from countless people along the way.

The business world can be hectic. How do you make time for your faith and family while owning and operating a business?

My business is a family business. My wife and I have been in it together since the very beginning. We have set our business hours so they accommodate the public and still allow us plenty of family time. Sunday is our day of worship and we are closed that day. At one point in my business I was working 6 days a week. I was putting in long hours and I had not taken a vacation in over 5 years. Suddenly I had a God moment. One of my customers, an elderly man, had inquired about my family. When he heard that I had not taken any time off in 5 years, he gave me a good talking to. He told me that my two daughters would be grown and gone before I knew it, and that I needed to spend time with them before it was too late. It opened my eyes and helped me focus my moral compass back on family values.

What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

It’s very difficult to choose a single verse out the Bible as my favorite. The Word of God is a living, breathing thing. You can read the same scripture with a different set of circumstances influencing your life, and a totally different application of the verse can come to life. If I had to boil it down to just a single verse it would be 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul was writing to Timothy and reminding him of who he was, and what he needed to do in order to become the man God created him to be. For Timothy, that was accomplished by studying God’s word and understand how to properly apply its knowledge and wisdom. When you have the words of the Bible in you then you have the tools to accomplish the task set before you. It teaches you all of the things you need to run a business. It teaches community and how we all interact in the bigger picture. It teaches money principles, how to save, how to work hard, and ultimately how to have a great quality of life.

Is “giving back” important to you as a Christian business owner? What role does this play in your business?

Giving back has been a part of my business from the beginning: whether it was monetarily, through donations to various causes, or through trying to help people I have met along the way. I have always tried to make a difference. I can’t do everything but I have learned that I can do some things. I’ve found that the most rewarding time to give is when nobody’s watching. Sometimes I have been able to watch from a distance and see the results of my company’s giving. Other times, I’ve just known that it was the right thing to do.

The Art of Raising A Money Superstar | Dave Ramsey

March 30, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

A young boy is excited about saving money for the future.

image courtesy of iStock

One thing parents know for certain, they don’t want their kids to make the same mistakes they did. That’s especially true for money mistakes.

Most of our money mistakes are due to lack of education. Did your parents take time to teach you about how money works? Even if they did, you’ve probably discovered some holes they glazed over and thought in disbelief, How did they forget to teach me that? You can stop that cycle by teaching your kids—no matter what age—how to handle money with success. Here are a few tips:

Embrace the Process

When you start out educating your kids about money, understand that it will be a process. In your early lessons, you’ll teach your youngster the value of working and saving by paying him for small jobs, like cleaning up his toys. Congratulate him with lots of high-fives and pay him immediately. Keep it visual by wadding up a dollar bill and putting it in a clear container. That way, he’ll see how his money adds up as he’s paid for doing his jobs.

When your child is old enough for chores, around five or six, start paying commission—not allowance. If he does the work, he gets paid. It’s a great way to teach personal responsibility. At this point, help him learn basic budgeting skills by dividing his money into saving, spending and giving categories. Financial Peace Jr. includes colorful envelopes and charts to make this fun!

Open a checking account for your teen and teach him how to balance his checkbook. If he’s earning money at a part-time job, encourage him to continue budgeting to spend, save and give.

As he moves into college, find a balance where you are there to hold him accountable, while also allowing him to make some mistakes so he knows what that feels like and learns from it.

Make sure he’s continuing to balance his checkbook,
Discuss any large purchases he’s thinking about making, and
Even though credit card companies have to follow stricter laws when they market to college students, they still prey on them in more creative ways. Make sure your young adult understands the dangers of credit cards and why he should never have one.

Healthy Habits, Healthy Finances

Some kids will go to extremes with their money. Extreme spenders may need to learn the value of money by setting savings goals and working to meet them. Extreme savers often operate out of fear and need to learn that it’s okay to spend and give. Even extreme givers have to find a balance so they learn to support themselves without giving all their money away.

As a parent, you may have to learn some new habits as well. If you buy your kids whatever they want, you’re not teaching them to be anything but spoiled. The world doesn’t work that way, and they could end up living in your basement when they’re 35 if you don’t set limits and say no once in a while.

When your kids spend their money, you don’t have to allow them to buy the latest junk they see advertised on TV. Part of being a good money manager is making wise purchasing decisions. And you have every right to deny purchases of music, video games, etc. you don’t approve of.

The Payoff

For all your efforts, what will you get? You’ll get a responsible adult, who knows how to manage his money, how to live on what he makes, isn’t afraid to work, and has a generous spirit. In other words, it’s totally worth it.

Christ in the Kitchen: Teaching Your Kids the True Meaning of Easter

March 29, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

Around this time of year grocery stores fill up with eggs and candy. There is talk circumventing cities and schools about Easter bunnies and egg hunts. For many children today, the true meaning of Easter is shrouded in mystery. I remember being a child and sitting through the lengthy two hour Easter service on Sunday morning. I can still envision my seven-year-old self counting down the minutes until church ended. I knew that if I could just make it through service, I would be allowed to hunt eggs to my heart’s content. Many years passed before I realized the true gift that was given on Easter, a gift far far more precious than candy. However, just like seven-year-old me, there are a lot of Christian kids that are more excited about the gift of candy than they are about the gift of Jesus.

Let’s not allow our little ones to believe that the fun part of Easter is reserved for an egg hunt. Here are some fun-filled kitchen activities that will leave your little ones giggling while teaching them the true meaning of Easter.

Resurrection Rolls

What you’ll need: crescent rolls, marshmallows, red sprinkles, melted butter, a Bible

Step One: Gather your family in the kitchen and read the Easter story from the Bible. Be sure to read from a translation that your little ones can understand. Don’t forget to bring up parts of the Easter story throughout the baking process!

Step Two: Have your kids help you spread out the crescent rolls on a baking sheet.
- What you say, “These rolls represent Jesus’ tomb.”
Step Three: Have your kids roll one marshmallow first in butter and then red sprinkles.
- What you say, “This represents Jesus’ death on the Cross. Jesus sacrificed Himself so that we can be with Him in heaven one day.”
Step Four: Have your kids place the sprinkled covered marshmallow in the center of the crescent roll.
- What you say, “A man named Joseph wanted to make sure that Jesus had a proper burial. He took Jesus to his tomb and laid Him inside.”
Step Five: Have your kids wrap the marshmallow up and press the edges together so the crescent roll seals.
- What you say, “This represents the Roman soldiers coming and sealing Jesus’ tomb.”
Step Six: Bake the crescent rolls according to the directions on the package. Have your kids set a timer and wait for the rolls to finish baking.
- What you say, “Over the next day, everyone thought Jesus had died. Because it was the Sabbath, no one was allowed to go check on Jesus’ tomb. The disciples had to sit and wait. Waiting can be super hard and I am sure the disciples were really worried.”
Step Seven: Allow the rolls to cool a bit, then gather your kids around you and open one of the rolls. The marshmallow should have disappeared!
- What you say, “Just like in the story we read, when they arrived at the tomb the next morning, the stone was rolled away and Jesus was no longer in it! He had risen from the dead just like He promised. Remember, the reason we celebrate Easter is because our Savior is no longer in a tomb, He is alive!”

Easter Story Cookies

What you need: 1 cup of whole pecans, 1 tsp of vinegar, 3 egg whites, a pinch of salt, 1 cup of sugar, a gallon size Zip-Lock bag, a wooden spoon, and some tape.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.
Step 2: Place your pecans inside your zipper baggie.
- What you do: Read John 19: 1-3, “Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. They came up to him saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and struck him with their hands.”
Step 3: Let your children take turns beating the pecans into small pieces with your wooden spoon.
Step 4: Take out the vinegar and let all the children smell it. Explain to them that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, this is what the Roman soldiers offered him to drink.
- What you do: Read John 19:28-30 “After this Jesus… said , ‘I thirst.’ A bowl of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “it is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
Step 5: Have your kids help you add the egg whites.
- What you do: Tell your little ones that the eggs represent life. Explain to them that Jesus gave his life for each and every one of us. Read John 10: 10-11“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Step 6: Add a pinch of salt to the mixture. Have your kids close their eyes and hold out their tongues. Drop a couple granules of salt onto their tongues.
- What you do: Ask them to describe the taste. Explain that the salt probably tastes a lot like the tears that Jesus’ followers cried when He died. Read Luke 23:27, “And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.“
Step 7: Add in one cup of sugar. Ask your kids to close their eyes again and stick out their tongues. Sprinkle some sugar in their mouths.
- What you do: Tell your kids that although the story has been sad, it is still sweet. Explain that Jesus died for our sins because he loves us! Read John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Step 8: Beat the mixture with your mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until small peaks form. The mixture should now be pure white.
- What you do: Explain to your children that this symbolizes Jesus’ purity. Explain to them that Jesus was the only man that never sinned. Read John 3:1-3, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Step 9: Fold in the beaten pecans. Drop the batter by the teaspoonful onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
- What you do: Tell your children that the mounds represent the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid after His crucifixion. Read Matthew 27:58-60, “He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.”
Step 10: Place the cookies in the oven, and turn the oven off.
- What you do: Give each child a piece of tape to “seal” the oven. Read Matthew 27:65, “Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.”
- Ask your kids how they think the disciples felt when they had to leave Jesus’ body in the tomb. Explain to your children that they must leave their cookies in the sealed oven overnight, even if it makes them feel sad. Read John 16:20 and 22, then go to bed.
  - “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
Step 11: Gather your kids in the kitchen on Easter morning and open the oven. Give each child a cookie break in half. The cookies should be hollow, just like Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning!
- What you do: Read Matthew 28:6, “He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”

7 Questions with a Pastor

March 27, 2017 by Caitlin Curbello

By: Pastor Keith Castleberry | Victory Church – A United Pentecostal Church

1. Easter Sunday is right around the corner. In today’s culture, amongst the egg-hunts, candy, and frilly dresses, the true meaning of Easter can be overlooked. Could you offer some clarity concerning the real reason we celebrate Easter?

Our New Testament Easter (Acts 12:4) corresponds to the Old Testament Passover (Exodus 12), which dates back to the night the Jews were to leave Egypt. As long as the blood of the sacrificial lamb was applied to the door post of the home, in which the Jews prepared for their exodus, the death angel would pass over the home and not slay the first born. This is a type of the blood of Jesus Christ applied to the doorpost of our hearts and the death of the lamb slain for our redemption (1 Corinthians 5:7). Easter is not a celebration of the cross, or of the grave, for if that was the end, Easter would not be complete nor a celebration, but the resurrection is where the true hope comes into play; anyone can die and be buried, but only Jesus came to life again, thus declaring a power not seen in mortal men before (Romans 1:4). Our Easter, a holiday of new life, is our celebration of the true life we find though and in Jesus Christ. By his death, burial and especially the resurrection, Jesus Christ conquered death, hell and the grave (Revelation 1:18) and those of us that choose to follow him are given opportunity to new life through obedience to the gospel (John 15:14). What a great opportunity and reason to celebrate!

2. Why did Jesus have to die and come back to life?

Jesus Christ is our Savior due to the sacrifice he paid at Calvary. As the perfect lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8) only he could pay the price required to remit the sins of lost souls (Luke 1:77, 24:47, Acts 2:38, Romans 3:25). The blood sacrifice of Calvary was precedented first by the blood sacrifice made by God for the covering of the sins of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21) and again accepted and respected by God himself when Abel brought a blood sacrifice (Genesis 4:4). These and more early sacrifices, throughout the Old Testament, show us the need for the blood, but the blood of animals was never enough. It was only the sacrifice of this perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:19), that could wash away the sins of humanity. In writing to the church, the Apostles stated multiple times that the Church was bought by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14). His blood, as seen in the shadows of old, serves to sanctify our hearts to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14) when we obey the gospel preached by the Apostles (John 17:20). According to Hebrews 2:14, Jesus’ experience was more than just a sacrifice of blood, but was to take the power of death and hell from the devil, thus purchasing hope for the church. While much of mankind spends their life in fear of death, Jesus gave us power over that fear (Hebrews 2:15). Though the death of Jesus Christ was necessary, the resurrection holds the promise of life and that eternal (Hebrews 9:15).

3. What are your goals as a Pastor on Easter Sunday?

More than anything, Easter Sunday at Victory Church is to celebrate the salvation we have through Jesus Christ and to teach all people the good news, that Jesus Christ loved humanity so much that he came to earth, lived to experience our struggle, died for our sins, was buried and rose again, all for our salvation and hope. We Christians celebrate this work by emulating the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in our own lives (Romans 6:3-6); though everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23), everyone has a door to salvation through Jesus Christ (John 10:9). Our goal is to motivate others to live, like Paul, so they can know the Lord, through not only his death and burial but through His resurrection. In doing this, we encourage all to repent of their sins (death to the flesh – Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30), be baptized in Jesus name (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48 & 19:5) and be filled with the Spirit of God (Acts 2:4, 2:38, 8:18, 10:44, 19:6, Ephesians 5:18). In obeying the message preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) we follow the pattern set by the early church and Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 3:15). Knowing then that those that are baptized into Jesus Christ, are baptized into his death (Romans 6:3), we place special emphasis on baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. If we can do this through plays, skits, programs or other tools, we will, but the goal should end at the same result, people need to know Jesus in a way that really matters and changes them.

4. How do you keep the true meaning of Easter alive in your home as well as your church?

Though somewhat traditional, Easter Sunday at Victory Church is spent like many other churches; we put forth special effort to reach and support our guest as they reach out to the church, as many only come to church on Easter. But our real effort to keep the true meaning of Easter alive in our home and church comes on a day to day relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, we do dress in our best, make special preparations, presentations and spend our entire day at the church celebrating on Easter Sunday, and sadly, many do celebrate just that day, but I believe Christians should celebrate Easter with a new life, every day, every week and every year. With the Spirit of God in our hearts, the joy of salvation in our souls, and the hope of eternal life in our minds, we no longer desire what we used to desire, our focus is now, at all times, on the things of God (Ephesians 5:8). So the new life, celebrated only on Easter by many, is our whole life.

5. Some people want to strengthen their relationship with Christ, but simply don’t know where to begin. What are some first steps that you would suggest for these individuals?

As addressed above, and common throughout the New Testament church, we must all repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and to be filled with the Spirit of God, and this obedience brings peace. Though we do these spiritual things, we remain in the flesh, thus we have to mortify the flesh (Romans 8:13). In order to strengthen our relationship with God, we must often weaken our relationship with the world. John the Baptist set a great example; though having not the Spirit, he served God to the best of his ability, using the simple motto “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Thus we must abstain from some things that war against the soul first (1 Peter 2:11), then we must embrace the things that bless the work of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-8). One thing that is a good medicine for the soul is regular reading and studying of the Word (2 Timothy 2:15-18, 3:16). But possibly the most important thing to strengthen a person’s relationship with Christ is found in simple fellowship with the body, His Church (Ephesians 5:23) and the church has been given the Word, and ministers for the perfecting of the saints, to build up the body (Ephesians 4:11-13). Like a coach at the gym, they should challenge us, push us and perfect us, if they don’t, they aren’t doing their job.

6. Churches are made up of people, and people aren’t perfect. What advice would you give to an individual that is wary of trying church because they were hurt by the church in the past?

Come back, please… we do love you, and we care that you have been hurt before. Yes, there are people that seem to be able to mess up the beauty of the church and yes, there is some hard teaching and preaching that must be endured. But, just like at work or even within our family, that happens. Realize, though, we all do what we want to do; we all go to work because we want the reward of work, we go to the doctor because we desire what the doctor can do for us, and if we want the reward of being part of the body, we will go to church (Ephesians 1:18). If any person wants to be a living part of the body of Christ, a relationship with other parts of the body is demanded (1 Corinthians 12:12-25, Ephesians 4:16). Just as each part of our physical bodies can have less desirable parts, there are parts of the church that seem to be less desirable. We must also recognize another very important fact; there must be flaws, even false teaching, among the church, to expose the beauty of the truth (1 Corinthians 11:19). In other words, the test of persecution, suffering and shame, are not just test from the world, often times they can come from within the church. Find a church that truly loves souls, that is one that preaches against sin and stands for truth no matter what the world does, and there you will find a church that loves you (Hebrews 3:12-13). Neglect feelings, embrace the Word, walk by faith and not by sight. A simple understanding of the divisions of the New Testament will help one understand the need the body has always had for correction and instruction; the New Testament is divided into four types of books, the first is the gospels, conveying the birth, life and sacrifice of Jesus, the second is the book of Acts, which stands alone as the foundational history of the church, and setting an example to the church today, then Romans through Jude tells us, by letters from the apostles to the Church (most addressed “to the church at ___”), correction and instruction on how to live for God and lastly, the book of revelation declares the triumphant end for Christ and His bride (His Church). 21 of the 27 books of the New Testament are directed at instruction or correction of the church. Come back, we love you.

7. What is something that the Lord has been teaching you recently?

It seems that I am a work in progress, with the Lord constantly teaching me something. Of course, many lessons come into focus as we go through trials and seasons in our lives, and lately I’ve been reminded of three points to one simple principle; 1) some things only God can do (healing, miracles, infilling of the Spirit, etc), and some things only we can do (go to work, church, eat, etc) but some things we have to work together on (salvation, works of the church, etc). While scripture is full of the miraculous power of God and humanity has just enough power to work and care for himself, much of the miraculous occurred when humanity, in its weakness, bent to God’s will and way. Whatever you and I are going through, we must recognize that if we do our best, God will do the rest. With the will of God being that we not be satisfied in our present at the cost of our salvation in the future, we must recognize the part we play and never give up on trying to live righteously through all situations. Let God be God, don’t try to manipulate and manage Him for your good, manage yourself for His good and you will be better off. Yes, we must do our best and let God do the rest, but we can’t expect God to carry us when we don’t try.

13107 State Highway 30

College Station, Texas 77845

(979) 774-9690

7 Questions

with Rev. Caressa Murray & Rev. Jonathan Murray of Covenant Presbyterian

Life in the Middle

Broken Bread

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