Saturday, March 31, 2018

"He is risen!"

Luke 24: 1-6

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes the gleamed like lighting stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He is risen!"




Rejoice!!  He is Risen, Indeed!!

Thursday, March 29, 2018

"It is Finished"


Luke 23: 44-46

It was now about the sixth hour and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour because the sun was obscured:  and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice said "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT."  Having said this, He breathed his last breath.



Today we pause to remember your sacrificial love
That shone light into the darkness
That bore life from such emptiness
That revealed hope out of devastation
That spike truth through incrimination
 That released freedom in spite of imprisonment
And brought us forgiveness instead of punishment.

Thank you that we can now walk in the light of your life, 
Hope, truth, freedom and forgiveness,
This day and everyday.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

"Hosanna in the highest"


Matthew 21:7-9

They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them.  Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  And the crowds that went before Him and that follow Him were shouting:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He who comes in the name o the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"



"Triumphant Entry" can't even begin to explain the energy and excitement in the crowd that day... the Savior they had waited for...for hundreds, if not thousands of years had finally come!  Just imagine how you would feel if you happened upon that scene an hour after Jesus had gone through... you just missed it!!  That pit in your stomach.. you'd flee like you had just missed a once in a lifetime opportunity...



But that's not the way it is.  That's why we call it "The Good News".. you haven't missed it!  Over two thousand years later, you can still choose to follow Jesus and experience..
"the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding."  Philippines 4:7a

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

"You are the light of the world"


Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on it's stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  


In this age of social media and anonymity, I see so much negativity and judgement and it saddens my heart.  I read "comments" and wonder what in their life made them feel this way.   It makes me wonder how I am perceived by others...  a comment on Facebook, an encounter at the grocery store, or in the parking lot after church, when everyone seems to be in a rush to get someplace.   I feel like we're in such a rush that we've lost that personal connection.  Years ago, I realized e-mails had replaced picking up the phone and actually talking to someone... now it seems we are communicating through texts and emoji's!!   Sometimes, it works best, but I think I'm going to try to pick up the phone more and do that old fashioned thing called talk!!

Isn't it our responsibility as Christians to let "our light shine" bright and clear for all to see!!   We are like the lighthouse, shining to hopefully steer the way to safety for others.  I pray that those that I encounter will see the "Christ Light" in me, and I can make a difference in their day...whether it be just a friendly smile, or a long conversation about what makes my light shine!!  

Who is watching you?  

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

"You are altogether beautiful"

Song of Soloman 4:7

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling; 
there is no flaw in you."




Meet Ellis James Peterson
born March 1st

My baby had a baby! Wow!

The miracle of birth... there is nothing like it!
I am overwhelmed when thinking of the perfection in this  precious child... he is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14)  I am in awe that he is finally here and so excited to watch his little life unfold!! 

There are miracles all around us.  Designed in perfection, by perfection...created by God's Holy hand for us to live in and experience and enjoy until that day that we pass into eternal life with Him in heaven.  

Open your eyes today and take in the beauty of God's creation around you in a new way, 
one of wonder and with gratitude... 
for a baby's smile, 
a beautiful sunset, 
spring flowers, 
a gentle touch.  

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

"Behold, the winter is past!"

Song of Soloman 2: 11-12

 "Behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."






Christmas and New Years are suppose to be cold and wintery...but by mid January I am already counting the days until Spring!  How wonderful that we can count on the bluebonnets each March in Texas, and that the birds will build their nests and our grass gets greener after the dead of winter.  
Our lives have seasons too... and with each spring, I feel a newness to my life and the opportunities I have in my daily life.  No matter our age or station in life, we get to make the choice of where we will "live" today... to cling to our past, to dream of the future or embrace where and who we are today...

I choose today!