Easter

I couldn’t believe it … a couple of days ago, we had snow … all day … like it snowed for 12 hours straight!!! It was hard to stomach, what with it being the middle of April and everyone being so sick of winter. But, Ernie and I had to agree that it was pretty, with millions of snowflakes doing their crazy dance outside the windows of our family room. When the snow ‘shower’ was finally spent, 12” of the sparkly ice crystals lay on our lawn. Our dog’s belly brushed against them as she sprang joyfully from one spot to the other. She, unlike us, still likes the snow; hopefully, she will soon be as disappointed with its absence as we were with its appearance!

I also can’t believe it will be Easter in a couple of days … where has this month gone? We have had the most wonderful problem these last two months … we have been bombarded with requests for our crosses! Thank you, thank you for your interest and willingness to serve God!! We have been trying diligently to get the crosses shipped as quickly as we can and we think we may have missed some ‘Easter deadlines’ and for that, we apologize. But, we want you to know that your crosses will be on their way as soon as they can and we thank you for your patience!! This is truly a wonderful problem to have .. thank you again!!

Some time ago, I read this story and found its message to be very powerful. I wanted to share it with you:

‘A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months, he
 had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom, and knowing his
 father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father
 had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father
 called him into his private study, told him how proud he was to have such a
 fine son, and how much he loved him. He handed him a beautifully wrapped
 gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a
 lovely, leather-bound Bible, with his name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised
 his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" 
 He stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible behind.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had
 a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old.
 He thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that
 graduation day. But before he could make arrangements, he received a
 telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his
 possessions to him. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart.
 He began to search through his father's important documents and saw the
 Bible, new, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible
 and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse,
 Matthew 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
 children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give
 to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had
 a tag with the dealers name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had
 desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... PAID IN
 FULL.’

This Easter, we need to ask ourselves:

How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

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Recently, some of you have asked if it would be okay to add the name of your church or a special note to our crosses. When Cross The World was formed, the directors decided that we would not promote a specific religion or church because we wanted our mission statement to remain pure and clear: we are Christians promoting Christianity, letting all people know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, and that His love for all of us will not fail. And, so, while we can understand there might be instances where outside endorsements might be desired, we respectfully request that nothing be added to or taken away from the crosses you receive from us.

We thank the following for their support of Cross The World during the month of March:

Marlys – MN

First Presbyterian Church – Jackson, MN

Paradise United Methodist Church – Newberry, MI

Hulbert Tahquamenon United Methodist Church – Newberry, MI

Del – MN

Bruce – MT

Lakeview Covenant Church – Duluth, MN

Marvie – MN

First Covenant Church – Duluth, MN

Joan – MN

Sebring Evangelical Friends Church – Beloit, OH