Chocolate Chip Cookies from Jesus!

I was inspired to do this post by Janelle over at Comfy in the Kitchen. Her blog is one of my favorites and has helped me so much with cooking. Recently, she asked her readers to share their stories of how they use food as ministry. I enjoy baking and particularily love to bake chocolate chip cookies! God has placed us in an inner-city neighborhood and for the past 13 years we have been striving to love our neighbors and show them who Jesus is by our actions and words. As our ministry has developed I believe that God has used countless chocolate chip cookies to touch the hearts of our neighbors for Him! We frequently open our home to kids who need a place to hang out, do homework, play, eat or just see life from a Christian perspective. Several kids come to our church and once every 4-6 weeks we invite them over for lunch. Lunch is usually simple but chocolate chip cookies are always freshly baked! I am amazed at how quickly a whole batch can be devoured! This past Sunday we had 12 kids over, ordered pizza, played some xbox and ate some cookies!




For years I have used the standard Nestle Toll House recipe but to honor Comfy in the Kitchen I decided to try Janelle's chocolate chip cookie recipe and deliver a few to my neighbors today. First, I printed out the recipe with her handy-dandy print button located at the bottom of each post.


Then I put it in my notebook where all my printed recipes are located. A good portion of those recipes are from Comfy in the Kitchen. A few weeks ago, when my 9 year old was suffering from cabin fever (I live in Minnesota) and needed something to do, I asked him to make a cover for my notebook.


Next, I gathered all the ingredients, mixed and baked!




Then I sent a text to Chuck. I have known this young man since he was 6. He is now 18 and 6'5"! He LOVES my cookies. For 9 years he lived 3 houses away. Whenever I baked cookies I would turn on the exhaust fan and before too long I would hear a knock at the door and Chuck would be standing there with a BIG grin, "You baking cookies?!"

Here's a helpful hint: If you buy the 72 oz. bag from Costco or Sam's Club you definitely save money!

Over the years my cookies have become famous in this little neighborhood. The past couple years I have baked a batch for everyone's birthdays, even the parents. I believe that to best reach these kids for Jesus I need to also reach their parents. It takes time to build relationships and trust but when you do hearts are opened!

Finally, I delivered a bag of cookies to a dear family down the street. They have been our neighbors for 13 years. The kids are involved in our youth group, Awana program and attend on Sundays with us. This past year their mom started coming to a neighborhood evangelistic Bible study. I see God working in their lives and I know that He uses many things to touch hearts, including chocolate chip cookies!