A to Z - By Wanda Hess

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In the May newsletter I talked about dandelions.  My, my  was I surprised with all your comments about dandelions! I want to add that a whole town up north in Amish Country has a 3 day Dandelion Festival! That is a lot of love for the dandelion.  For this newsletter I recently went to a “Friends of the Library Book Sale” and purchased a book  by Ken Anderson called “Where to Find it in the Bible. The ultimate A to Z resource.“ I have picked out some words that I thought were interesting.  But now I need your participation; so get your Bibles.  Circle the words you find of interest and look up the passages.  I have listed quite a few so enjoy!

A – ANGER  Deuteronomy 19:4-7
B- BODY Matt 8:31
C-CONCERN Job 1:4-5
D-DOG Exodus 11:7
E-EYES- Deut 29:2-3
F-FAST FOOD  Genesis 18 6-8
G-GRANDMOTHERS Titus 2 3-5
H-HIKING Deut 8:4
I- INSECTS Exodus 8:21
J-JAMBOREE- 2 Samuel 6:5
K-KITCHEN Exodus 29:31
L-LUGGAGE- 1 Kings 10:2
M-MORNING STAR-Revelation 22:16
N-NEIGHBORHOOD-Jeremiah  30:20
O-OWL-Leviticus 11:13-17
P-POLICE John 18:12
Q-QUACK Job 13:4
R-RENEGADE Jeremiah 11 7,8
S-SUNDAY Nehemiah 10:31,13:16-17
T-TWINS-Genesis 25:21-26
U-UFO Jeremiah 10:2
V-VOTE Numbers 27:16
W-WATERFALL Psalm 42:7
X-XENOPHOBIA-Jeremiah 22:3
Y-YOUTH-Psalm 71:5
Z-ZEAL-Ephesians 2:10;6:10-20

In closing I would say the Bible contains a lot of subjects, wouldn't you agree? Enjoy your Bible, search the pages, find the answers.  It’s the best book you have in your home!

KITCHEN KORNER - By Dolly Lawler

Summer gardening brings forth so many good vegetables; among them are broccoli and cauliflower. Here's a good Amish salad recipe for you to try. There's just something about this tasty salad that hits the spot with me and I hope it does the same for you.

AMISH BROCCOLI-CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Ingredients:

1 large head of fresh broccoli
½ head cauliflower
½ cup diced mild onion
½ cup crisply, fried bacon, crumbled
½ cup shredded cheese (colby or longhorn)
½ to 1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sugar
2 Tbs. vinegar

Preparation:

Using only the flowerets of broccoli and cauliflower, break or cut into small pieces. Add diced onions and toss well. Blend mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Mix well. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mix and blend well. Add raisins, crumbled bacon bits and cheese. Stir to blend; chill and serve.

Note: For color, add 6 medium sized radishes, thinly sliced.
Yield: approximately 8 (4 oz.) servings

Please submit a favorite recipe to:
lawlers@windstream.net

Does Jesus Exist? - By Ken Lawler

Have you ever wondered if someone as important to human history as Jesus is was ever mentioned in secular history?  The answer to the question is YES!  Giving credit where credit is due, everything you will read in this article I read in the Jan/Feb 2015 Biblical Archaeology Review, by Dr. Lawrence Mykytiuk.  He is associate professor of library science and the history librarian at Perdue University.  His Ph.D. is in Hebrew and Semitic Studies.

One source is Caius/Gaius (or Publius) Cornelius Tacitus (c. 55/56-118 A.D.).  He was a Roman senator, orator and ethnographer (he studied human cultures), and was arguably the best of the Roman historians.  He also despised Christians.  In his last major writing, titled Annals, written around 116-117 A.D., he includes a biography of the Emperor Nero.  Nero was accused of setting the fire that partially destroyed Rome in 64 A.D.  He tried to shift the blame to Christians, which was the occasion for Tacitus to mention them in his writings.  Here's part of what he wrote to identify who started the fire.  The culprits whom the crowd called "Chrestians."  The founder of this name, Christ, had been executed in the reign of Tiberius by the procurator Pontius Pilate.  He was unaware that his name was Jesus and Christ was his title.

Another source is the Jewish historian Josephus.  He was a Jewish priest in first century Palestine.  During the first Jewish Revolt against Rome (66-70 A.D.) he was a commander in Galilee, but soon surrendered and became a prisoner of war.  After prophesying that the Roman commander Vespasian would become emperor, and he did, Vespasian freed him and he continued to live in Rome, where he composed his historical and apologetic writings.  He even took a Roman name, calling himself Flavius Josephus.  Most Jews viewed him as a despicable traitor.  In one of his great works, titled Jewish Antiquities, he mentioned Jesus twice.

Keep in mind when you read the following that the reason he gives the details he does is that the names James (Iakobos, ee-ak'-o-bos) i.e. Jacobus and Jesus (Iesous, ee-ay-sooce') i.e. Jehoshua, were very common names in 1^st Century Israel.  Normally, a person was identified by his father's name (i.e. James, son of Joseph), but that wouldn't work because Joseph was also a very common name.  Therefore, Josephus identifies which James he's referring to by naming his famous brother.  Here's what he wrote:  Ananus (the high priest) called a meeting (literally, Sanhedrin) of judges and brought into it the brother of Jesus-who-is-called-Messiah, James by name, and some others.  In another place he writes:  Around this time there lived Jesus, a wise man.  For he was one who did surprising deeds, and a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly.  He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks.  When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who in the first place came to love him did not give up their affection for him.  And the tribe of Christians, so called after him, have still to this day not died out.

Choices and Decisions - By Tom Graham

Choices! Everything we do and who we are is based on the choices we make. We often tell ourselves that our choices are good because they make us feel good, or feel happy or just feel right. If you have ever experienced anxiety or depression you can relate to how quickly our feelings and/or emotions can often deceive us into believing things regardless of the obvious truth. The truth is we all make good and bad choices every day. As adults we must face the consequences of those choices. It’s not our parents, our past relationships, our jobs, the economy, the weather, an argument, or our age that is to blame. Ultimately, we are the ONLY ones to blame for our choices; good or bad.

In Proverbs 14:12 it says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” As humans, it is really easy for us to consider what “seems right to man” to be the absolute truth. Many people base their life choices solely on what “seems right or feels right.” The world we live in today bombards us daily through the television, the web, and social media with the idea of doing “what feels good,” what “seems right.” Young and old alike are constantly being challenged to embrace a worldly view. No wonder people today are more confused than ever and it seems people are making more and more poor choices in their lives. Speaking from experience, as a former young person, if I had made all my choices based on what I thought felt good…my life would be extremely different and I fear not in a good way. I am not saying that all the choices in my life have been good ones. I have made my share of bad choices and I have lived with the consequences of those bad choices. As Christians, we are called upon to filter our choices based on what God has shown and taught us through His Word. In Proverbs 3:5-6 it says “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Being a Christian does not exempt us from the responsibility of making good choices. It is our responsibility to use our God-given mind to learn how to make good choices.

Writer David Peach states:

“Sometimes we don’t make decisions a spiritual matter or a subject of prayer because we are afraid of how God will lead. God wants to bless us, but blessings only come through obedience (Deuteronomy 11:26-29). When you finally make the decision you know is right, then accept what the Lord has shown you and do what is right in the situation. It may be something difficult to do, but the promise is that as you obey the Lord, you will have blessings in your life.”

In today's world, living our lives and making good choices has become harder than ever. Does God promise us that every choice we make will be perfect and right? Of course not. But he does say in James 1:5 that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” and the Good News Translation states 1 Corinthians 10:13 “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.”

Choices can sometimes be quick and easy to make. Sometimes they can be long and difficult to make. Trust God with all the choices in your life. I pray now that you will seek God's wisdom in all the choices you make in your life. If God is not a part of your life, I pray that you start now and begin a relationship with Him. For more information on becoming a Christian please click the link or go to http://www.sbc.net/knowjesus/.

Greetings from Wee Care Childcare

We’ve had a very busy and exciting summer here at Wee Care.  Our summer school-age program – Adventure Squad – had about 40 children enrolled for the summer.  The kids enjoyed field trips such as the Air Force Museum, Carillon Park, Wegerzyn Gardens, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Johnston Family Farm and swimming at the Tipp City pool.  Thank you to Ms. Cathy, Ms. Kristen, Ms. JoAnn, Mr. Chase, Mr. Ron, Ms. Maria and Ms. Zora for helping to make the summer Adventure Squad a huge success!  Also, thank you to the Tecumseh Local Schools transportation team for transporting our children to and from their field trips.

We are excited to be implementing our new faith-based curriculum, Pinnacle Curriculum.  This curriculum allows our teachers to help the children grow and learn in all developmental areas while keeping to a particular Bible theme.  We have found it to be very easy to use and implement.

As summer is drawing to an end, our preschool classes are now forming.  We have two Pre-K classes and one younger preschool class.  Ms. Kristen is our Pre-K teacher in the purple room; Ms. Debbie is our Pre-K teacher in the yellow room; and Ms. Vanessa is our preschool teacher in the rainbow room.  We also have Ms. Sarah, Ms. Cathy and Ms. Miranda who will be helping in the afternoons.

Our infants in the blue room are keeping Ms. Lala, Ms. Deb, Ms. Karen and Ms. Courtney very busy.  The toddlers in the orange room are having so much fun with Ms. Jenn and Ms. Nancy and Ms. Maria.  Also, the red room kids are continuing to make progress in their potty training, with the help of Ms. Emma and Ms. Kelly.
Our before- and after-school latchkey program is just getting started.  Ms. JoAnn is our morning latchkey lady, along with the help of Ms. Nancy.  In the afternoons, we have Ms. Tiffani, Mr. Chase and Ms. Zora.  We have about 43 kids enrolled in the latchkey program.  Thank you to the Tecumseh and Bethel Local Schools for providing bus transportation for the kids to and from school.

We consider it a great honor to be able to provide a much needed service to our community.  Please pray for our teachers, parents and, especially, the children who are part of our childcare program.

God bless,
Wee Care Childcare Staff