Big Dream Ministries Newsletter

April 2015

In This Issue

Amazing Testimony

Book Review

15-Minutes Bible Study

Be Amazing Devotional

Recipe Box:Sausage and Grits Casserole

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An Amazing Testimony

Greetings,

I want to thank you for all your work in bringing The Amazing Collection to fruition. I am seventy years old and just came to First Christian church in December due to a friend's prodding. I am convinced she was a messenger from God.

This study has been a super resource for me to learn about the Bible. My group is now studying the Minor Prophets, and I can't wait to start the New Testament.

The videos and your presentation are very enjoyable.

Thank you and blessings to you all, Sue.

Book Review

The Politically Incorrect Jesus

by Traci Martin

Joe Battaglia's The Politically Incorrect Jesus addresses the history, the relevance, and the hypocrisy of the politically correct movement that has swept our nation. American culture has embraced political correctness under the guise of not wanting to offend anyone. However, the efforts to ignore or rename significant differences in people because they may be potentially insulting to someone holding an alternative view actually create intolerance for any variations of thought. Now our society has lost absolute truth in setting its standards and the effects are far-reaching.

Rather than sounding the battle horn, Battaglia challenges believers to respond as salt and light, and to be Christ-like in their dealings with the culture. By learning to "communicate truth in such a way that people will not want to avoid it because we are such bad examples," we can provide common ground for all stand on - which is the Gospel.

Ultimately, this easy to read book leads us to examine the basic need of all people to know Jesus and the importance of sharing the gospel with those beyond our current cultural comfort zone.

The Politically Incorrect Jesus is available at Amazon for $11.13.

We want your feedback!

In the next month or so, many of you will be finishing up your Bible study class for the summer.

Take a few minutes and have your students write down how the study this year has impacted them. We would love to hear from you.

Our prayer is that the newsletter would be a source of encouragement for you and a resource to assist you in your daily life.

If you have any feedback at all, we would love to hear from you. Email us at media@theamazingcollection.com

www.turnbacktogod.com

He IS Risen!

Easter is just around the corner and it is a cause for celebration. Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave. For those who have put their faith in Christ, it is time to rejoice and worship.

Happy Easter,

The Big Dream Ministries Team

The Amazing Collection

15-Minute Bible Study

The Book of Hosea

By Pat Harley

Hosea: Grieving the Heart of God

There is something particularly painful about adultery. Those who have experienced it firsthand can attest to the fact that it doesn't just hurt the heart, it absolutely crushes it. No one can hurt us as much as those we have given ourselves to in marriage because it is to those people whom we share everything ...our dreams, thoughts, living space, events and our deepest intimacy. So when they choose to give themselves to another in adultery, it is the ultimate act of betrayal. Trust is broken and emotions of deep hurt, immense anger, embarrassment, fear and jealousy all replace peace and love. Nothing grieves the heart like adultery.

Yet God uses that analogy to help us to understand that He is a God of emotion....and He experiences grief, anger, betrayal and pain when we chose to turn from Him and "embrace" other gods. He has loved us with an everlasting love and He knows and has created the path for our happiness, contentment, peace and joy. Other gods can only offer slavery and eventually eternal hell but God offers life, blessings, wisdom and security.

So God in His wisdom puts the book of Hosea in the Bible for the Israelites (and us) to get a clear picture of how He views sin and what that sin does to us. In the book we can feel the pain of Hosea, the stupidity of Gomer, and the results of her decisions. God pulls us into the story and allows us to see the ugliness of Gomer's sin; then He turns right around and points the finger and forces us to examine ourselves in the light of His law and love. It is a small book with a powerful message, and though it was written hundreds of years ago, the message is one for today. The heart of God is grieved by our sin, our idolatry..and yet His ever-available mercy and compassion continues to call us back into His embrace.

We may forsake Him but He will never forsake us. His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Be Amazing Devotional

Robin

Menu Planning

By Robin Rosebrough

"What am I going to have for supper tonight?"

Have you ever asked that question before....maybe just last night? This time of year our schedules are so full with spring breaks, end of school activities, job demands, sickness in the family. The one area that seems to suffer most in the early spring is the family supper time. We've talked in the past the importance of that pre-planning.....like some meals in your freezer or that handy device called the crock pot, but what other tools are available for week night roadblocks to cooking a healthy meal for your family?

I found an excellent website that not only offers prepared menus, but the grocery lists to go along with them. You choose based on your family size and preferred eating style, and you can even choose your favorite grocery store for your lists. The cost if you sign up for a year is just $5.00 a month; or give it a try just for this busy season at $10 a month for three months. The website is eMeals.com. There are several others that offer this, but this one seems to be the most popular. It is meal planning made simple.

I am especially grateful for all the helps today on the internet that allow me to provide a healthy meal in a short amount of time. Of course, I have had to think about it before 5:00 that day, but my stocked pantry and my freezer full of prepared ahead meals helps. Don't let this 'season' of busyness slow you down in the kitchen. It shows love and care for your family.

The Recipe Box

courtesy of southernbite.com

SAUSAGE

AND

GRITS

CASSEROLE

by Rosemary Nelson

Ingredients

2 cups water (with � tsp. salt)

� cup quick-cooking grits, uncooked

14 oz. extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 � cups)

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup milk

� teaspoon ground thyme

� teaspoon garlic powder

1 � pounds pork sausage (cooked, crumbled, and drained)

Directions

Bring salted water to a boil. Stir in grits and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cheese, stirring until melted.

Combine eggs, milk, thyme, and garlic powder. Stir well.

Gradually stir about one-fourth of the hot grits mixture into egg mixture to temper the eggs. Add tempered egg mixture to remaining hot grits mixture, stirring constantly.

Stir in sausage.

Pour into a lightly greased 11 x 7 baking dish.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until set.

Serves 6-8.

Note

Recipe may be made the night before and refrigerated up to 8 hours.

April Newsletter Special -

The Amazing Adventure - 30 % off

The Amazing Adventure is a children's curriculum developed by Big Dream Ministries for children who are preschool through eight years of age.

The curriculum takes the child through every book in the Bible in a sequential manner. Each weekly lesson includes a story, suggested activities and crafts, color pages and a memory verse. A "Take Home" page is also included for the parent with suggestions on how to pray for the child that week, special activities the family can enjoy and a brief statement about the lesson taught that week. It can be used for preschool child care classes which are held as the church groups study The Amazing Collection: The Bible Book By Book, or for Sunday School Curriculum, for family Bible devotions and activities, and for Home School Bible Studies.

To order visit our website and use coupon code: NApr15

Offer Expires:

May 15, 2015