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April 2006 ETC Corner
Easter Activities
It's All About the Bunny?
Bring Home the True Meaning of Easter with These Family-Friendly Activities
Easter is a holiday that the world has turned into a chocolate-eating, egg-dying, Easter Bunny induced frenzy. Take time during this Holy season to remind your family what it's really all about. Try one or more of these activities to get everyone back on track.
Read a Book Together.
The Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier and Frank Ordaz is a beautifully illustrated book that answers questions that many children (and adults) may have about the miracle of the resurrection.
Use Resurrection Eggs as an Object Lesson.
Resurrection eggs can be purchased at Christian book stores or you can make your own. A dozen colorful plastic eggs contain miniature symbols of the Easter story hidden inside. These items symbolize events in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. You'll find a donkey, three coins, a cup, praying hands, a leather strip, a crown of thorns, nails, a die, a spear, linen/gauze, and a stone, as well as one empty egg, representing the empty tomb.
An easy-to-understand booklet explains how to use the Resurrection Eggs and features Bible stories explaining the significance of each object.
Make Resurrection Cookies
You'll need:
1 cup pecan halves
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 F. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
4. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read PS. 34:8 and John 3:16.
5. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3.
6. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
7. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
8. On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection day Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.
Taxes
Are You Being a Good Steward When it Comes to Taxes?
It has been said that death and taxes are the two things that are unavoidable in this life. Believers can rejoice that Jesus is Lord of both! If you struggle through tax season every year, here's an article with specific ways to give Jesus lordship in this area and to make the whole process less painful.
"Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:7-8)
As a follower of Jesus, it is clear that we are to be impeccably honest in all aspects of our lives so that we do not dishonor the name of Christ. When it comes to taxes, this means we need to prepare our tax return with integrity and pay what we owe.
We also want to be good stewards of the time, talent and money He has given us. Whether you prepare your own tax return or use a professional, it's a good idea to review areas where you can save on your tax bill.
Use Tax-Deferred Savings Plans like 401Ks and IRAs
Your savings will grow tax-free, and you may qualify to take a deduction on your 2005 tax return if you open or add to your IRA by April 15, 2006.*
Even if you have a retirement plan at work, most people can benefit from an IRA. Maximum contributions for 2005 have been increased to $4,000 for either the Traditional or Roth. Plus, if you are age 50 or older, you have the option to "catch up," which allows an additional contribution of up to $500.
Keep Careful Records of Charitable Giving/Activities
Retaining receipts and copies of checks for cash gifts is the easy part. If you make non-cash contributions (clothing, food etc), you'll need to keep good records of what was donated and then estimate its value. You may also deduct mileage and supplies for any volunteer work you do.
Maintain Complete and Accurate Business Records
If you have a small business, it's important to keep good records of income, expenses and assets that you use in your business (vehicle, computer, heavy equipment, etc). Keeping up with it all year will save you time and stress at year-end.
Keep a Mileage Log
Mileage is tax-deductible if it is for work or your own business, for medical appointments or for volunteer work. Keeping a simple mileage log in your vehicle is an easy way to track this.
Plan Ahead
To maximize your deductions, pay expenses such as medical, state income taxes, property taxes and mortgage interest (make your January payment early) before December 31st.
Use Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit
Filing electronically and using direct deposit means you'll receive your refund up to a week sooner than the old-fashioned way. The sooner you get your money, the sooner you can use it to pay off debt or invest.
Be a Good Steward With Your Refund
Before you receive your refund, review your current financial situation including outstanding debts, upcoming expenses, etc. If you still have excess, consider investing it in an IRA so that you can take advantage of the tax deduction next year.
Spring Cleaning
A clean house in the Spring is almost as much of a "pick-me-up" as pretty blooms and warm breezes. Try some of these homemade solutions for quick cleaning and more time outside!
Gather a few basics from your kitchen, and you can make these economical, non-toxic cleaners to get started on your spring cleaning!
Furniture Polish
1 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon essential oil
Mix well and apply with a soft cloth. Try using cut-up T-shirts or jersey knit sheets for cleaning cloths.
Toilet Cleaner
1 cup borax
1/2 cup white vinegar
After flushing the toilet, sprinkle borax all over the inside of the toilet bowl. Sprinkle vinegar over the borax and leave it overnight. The next day, scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
Glass Cleaner
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups warm water
Combine all ingredients in a large spray bottle and shake until the cornstarch dissolves. Spray on surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth. Eliminate streaks on glass by wiping with a wadded up piece of newspaper.
All-Purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant
1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Combine ingredient in a spray bottle and add 1 cup of very hot water. Shake well until dry ingredients are dissolved.
Rust Remover
To remove rust, simply sprinkle a little bit of salt on the rust and squeeze a lime over the salt until it is nicely soaked in lime juice. Leave the mixture on for two or three hours.
Drain Cleaner
Rinse baking soda down the drain and then fill it with vinegar. Quickly cover the drain while it mixes together and bubbles, forcing the clog down the drain.
Oven cleaner
Sprinkle spills generously with salt while the oven is still hot. The burned deposits should scrape off with no trouble when the oven cools.
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