Letters to Your Children

FAITH:

Genesis 49:1-33

In previous chapters Joseph played an instrumental role in saving Egypt from the famine. In the process he revealed his identity to his brothers and called his father to join them in Egypt. As the entire family was reunited, Jacob delivered a final blessing to each of his sons.

Jacob reflected upon the lives of his sons and described what they could expect in the future.

Try to write through your life. In his fine autobiographies, Frederick Buechner advises us to listen to our lives, to seek those patterns and rhythms of meaning that we often miss in the living of life but can discover on looking back. Our lives are filled with significance---if only we have eyes to see.

Tell stories. We love to hear stories because they are mostly about human beings surviving trouble. and we all need the encouragement that comes from discovering that others have been afflicted as we and have found a way to the other side. In stories are pain and struggle and failure, but also laughter and wisdom and grace. Your stories will have these things as much as anyone's, and you do not have to be good with words ot tell them powerfully.

A final word of advice---write letters and tell stories that are ultimately affirming. Don't settle scores or preach old sermons. Children are flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone. Their lives are and will be difficult--as yours may have been---and they need all the encouragement they can get. They might also need a kick in the seat, but there are many ways to give them that. Speak to them words of encouragement and love. The will learn, thereby, to speak such words to others.

In writing on what you care about to those you love, you will enrich the world eternally. by Daniel Taylor

Applying it: Write a letter or note to someone you love. Tell that person a story of what God is doing in your life. Express appreciation for what that person has done in your life.
Exploring it: Blessings--Genesis 27:25-29; Deuteronomy 33; Joshua 14:13. Teaching Children--Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:6-9; Psalms 78:5-7; Proverbs 22:6; Isaiah 28:9.

FRIENDS:

Father, remind and encourage us to pray for our children. We should never underestimate the power that comes when a parent pleads with you on behalf of their child. We know that you listen to thoughtful parents. We acknowledge that the only stability in the world is the Cross of Christ and it is to that Cross we turn. In Jesus' name, Amen

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE

APRIL 22
Mark 8:22-30; 1 Cor 14:26-40; Psalms 91; Judges 20
APRIL 23
Mark 8:31-38; 1 Cor 15:1-28; Psalms 92; Judges 21

10 Things To Be Thankful For

1. Cold hands on a hot fore head
2. Kindliness
3. Cooking for people
4. Snoozing in a hammock
5. Visiting a place where you were a child
6. Chilled sliced fruit
7. A bowl of ice and a fan
8. Soul soothing routines
9. Curling up with a good book
10. Roasted corn

FOOD:

Kahlua Cake
1 box of Devil’s Food Cake
1 box instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup Kahlua
1 16 ounce container of sour cream
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Powdered sugar for sprinkling


Pre heat oven to 350. Combine cake mix, pudding,eggs,oil, Kahlua and
sour cream in a large mixing bowl. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour
batter into a greased Bundt Pan. Bake for 50 minutes. Allow cake to
cool…invert cake onto serving plate…Dust cake with powdered sugar.

For special occasion…drizzle with white chocolate.

Serves 10-12

FUN:

"O' Just Great, they're gonna think I did that!!!"