Easter: Hope from Suffering
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I often think about one Easter spent in Georgia, somewhere back in the 60’s. My Dad spread blue fur around our hotel room. I’m assuming the Easter bunny was blue. I think that is what Dad was suggesting. He (Mr. Bunny) always took a nice bite out of the carrots I left for him. I believe he did on that occasion as well. Easter was blue fur and bunnies, and carrots with tooth marks in them. And who can forget Easter egg hunts, and being dressed up in patent leather shoes and your finest church clothes?
Those days however, are long gone. What used to be a holiday filled with candy and toys, has now become something much more to me. The Easter story brings hope. Hope of life eternal and grace beyond measure. Hope that streams from putting our faith in the one whose crucifixion we remember. When I decided to become a Christian, to follow Christ, I began to see how the Bible message as a whole became a reason for celebration. The Easter message was there in much of the Scriptures. Scripture was worth studying, memorizing, and above all following.
I would also discover that the most quoted Easter verses did not provide the whole picture. Suffering had to come before joy, fear before worship and God’s plan had to move forward into a message for others to hear. The message of Easter can be found in both Old and New Testament verses. It’s been said; that the message of the New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament. The message of hope therefore isn’t limited to just the standard Easter Scriptures. It is woven through the entire canon of Scripture. Bible verses specific to our Easter celebrations, stand as promises and bring us hope while Old Testament symbolism points to something much more.
It may not sound very hopeful to look at the suffering the Cross carried with it yet Psalm 22 reminds us of the suffering necessary to bring us future hope. Christ’s very words ” My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1, NIV) reminds us that the pain was a necessary part of the process. The whole Psalm bears witness of this. I have always marveled that the words uttered on the Cross (Matthew 27:46, NIV) were recorded in that Psalm long before. We cannot possibly fathom this suffering yet it reminds us of why we have our Easter celebrations at all. His suffering had to come before the triumph. His friends, family and followers had to endure great pain, before unspeakable joy. Though they pale in comparison, sometimes our trials precede our victories. We have to deal with pain in our lives, often before we see the glory on the other side. Entombed in our heart are many trials, many days of suffering and pain. But Resurrection power bursts through as our heart is renewed and filled with hope and joy.
The four gospel books contain various accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. In Matthew 28 an angel explains to Mary Magdalene and ‘another Mary’ that Jesus’ body is no longer in the tomb.
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:8-10, NIV.)
Our worship should flow out of this very scene. Because of what He did for us, these Bible verses that celebrate Easter, can be personalized. We can worship at the feet of the Lord, because of the very fact that the tomb is empty. The. tomb. is. empty. He has risen. Our fear of any situation can be replaced with joy. The joy invokes worship at His feet.
In Luke Jesus left us this word “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44, NIV). The New Testament hope is concealed in the Old Testament Scriptures. Our Easter celebration is not made up of blue fur, and bunnies. Rather it is a celebration of hope. Hope based on a God who kept His promises, and fulfilled His word. I can live in light of the ‘everything’ that must be fulfilled.
This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44, NIV).
The Biblical celebration of Easter has to encompass the Cross of suffering, the joy of an empty tomb and the fulfillment of Scripture, past and future. From our own corner of the world we can preach the Easter message to others. We can share Easter verses of encouragement and hope. We can turn our fear to joy, and share that joy with those who need to hear. Be blessed and encouraged this Easter. Our world grows increasingly more troubled day by day. This Easter, embrace your Biblical hope as you live out your day to day life. Take your suffering and turn it to celebration, over the life that was given, and the life that now lives and intercedes on our behalf.
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World Ballet Day
Hard to believe a year has passed since the last event, but here we are again! Enjoy live rehearsals and classes from some of the world’s leading ballet companies. It will make you long to dance again, if you have ever danced before. If nothing else, it will give you a real taste of the ballet world. World Ballet Day!
Psalm 119:77 (MSG)
77 Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.
Too Much To-Do?
#TameYourList
Join me at P31 OBS for the new Fall study. I’ll see you on the main blog! Many opportunities available for participation.
Visit Glynnis’ web site for a great post on the study!
July 4th: Crafty Ideas for Holiday Celebrations
Summer is upon us here in the U.S., and the holiday we’re focusing on is July 4. Many Americans see this as a day to gather friends and family together for a summer meal. Whether before or after the fireworks, there will be hungry mouths to feed. Many of us fill the day with traditional meals and activities. Some face the stress of trying to find things for the kids to do, while they await sunset and fireworks.
This year, why not provide the excited tots, teens and tweens with some new options? Plan your usual holiday dinner, but incorporate some crafty projects. Give your family the task of inviting friends to your family holiday meal. Ask them whom they would like to invite. Then, consider involving your children in some artful ideas for a Fourth of July theme. Crafts are an excellent way to shift the focus from the waiting and anticipation of those fireworks, over to a special meal designed for family and friends. Take a look at sites such as Better Homes and Gardens for a wealth of ideas via slideshow, or The Crafty Crow for children’s food and craft fun.
- Start with invitations. Card making is all the rage, and it shouldn’t take you too long to come up with a design. Even if you have never made cards before, an online search will lead you to all sorts of ideas and projects. Deliver the end result to your invited guests. Help children personalize the invitation for the people they are asking to dinner. You can take this activity as far as you want to go, but it’s guaranteed to delight someone! Your kids will be proud when invited guests respond to their invitation.
- Next you’ll want to create a focal point for your dinner table. Look online for ideas that go beyond the holiday table and include yard and porch decorations as well. You won’t go wrong conducting an online search for holiday yard and house decorations.
For a special table design give this a try: Grab some special ribbon and tie a few sparklers together; add some custom tags labeled with each guest’s name and you have an inexpensive fun decoration. After dinner everyone will have his or her own fireworks to light. An online search will provide you with nametag ideas. Placeholders are a fun way to make guests feel welcome. Tags are readily available and easily decorated.
- Have some fun planning your tableware. Yes, you can just go to the local party shop and buy things but why not add some creative touches of your own? For instance, white cups create a blank canvas for your family to decorate. Purchase a white paper tablecloth, supply markers, colored pencils or crayons and have everyone doodle some patriotic art. Throw in some fun stickers for an added artistic touch. Remember that adults love to color too! This makes a great activity while waiting for the meal.
- Last but not least, create some food related crafts using your traditional recipes, or new offerings. Barbecued meats may not inspire you, but summer is an excellent time to be crafty with fruits, and vegetables. Take a trip to your local grower’s market for colorful seasonal offerings and turn them into table art. Use small American flags for patriotic touches on your food items.
This year, engage your family and friends in the preparations. Besides drawing everyone into healthy activities, you might possibly establish some new traditions for future celebrations. Bookmark some web sites for project ideas for future events and keep in mind; there are no mistakes in crafting! Don’t worry about your talent or lack of.
The arts of cooking and crafting go hand in hand.
Family, food, friends and a little crafty touch! You’ll find the resources to be endless, and the rewards to be great.
What Are You Waiting for? Hoping in God
Today God delivered a healing to my husband. A suspected kidney mass, became a cyst. A word from the doctor that this was an urgent situation, became a call from the nurse who said there was nothing at all to worry about. A lot of prayer went into this situation, and the end result was a huge relief and a blessing.
What are you waiting for? Financial help? An end to sickness? A relationship to be mended? A family member to come back home? Waiting is never easy. It can involve hope and expectation. It can also harbor fear, anxiety and worry. I worried all through this incident, and am not going to pretend I didn’t.
The wait actually reminds me of when I was a little kid waiting for my Dad to come home from work. I knew he would be home, and I couldn’t wait for him to show up in the driveway. Well, sometimes I can’t wait for God to show up on the scene. I pace and pace, just as I did waiting for my earthly Dad. I’m thrilled when God shows up, thrilled with the gifts and blessings He brings with Him. Often my Dad showed up with gifts, but actually even if he came home without anything, it was ok with me. He showed up. Period. Just like God. Gifts are wonderful, but my Dad didn’t have to bring them to provie his love for me and my family. Unconditional, unrelenting, undying love. Gifts you could never buy, just like the gifts God bestows.
I don’t know what you are waiting for, or asking God for. I know it may be scary and probably is not easy. You may feel hopeless, helpless, or alone in the situation. I hope you have that eager expectation that God is going to show up. I hope you are wating for, and watching for Him. Here’s a promise to cling to:
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
The Hope of Easter
Matthew 28:1-9 (NLT)
1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.
9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.
It’s empty. He is risen. But not before dying an unimaginable death for you and for me. If you don’t know Him this Easter, if this is unclear or confusing or simply something you have never heard about please read the page on Steps to Knowing God. You’ll find it in the right sidebar. Don’t build your Easter on anything less than Christ the solid rock. This is serious business. The greatest sacrifice ever made for anyone, was made for you and me. As always, if you have any questions please post them. If you simply want to express how thankful you are to Him, please do. In this day of instability and world terrorism threats, #Brussels and beyond, we need the hope of that empty tomb. We need to know, our Savior lives. And one day, He will return for us. Again, if you need this hope, this security in your own life, remember the tomb is empty. Don’t live another day, another moment, without surrendering your life to the One who surrendered His life for you.
Have a blessed Resurrection Day. He is risen indeed.
What’s So Simple About Diabetes?
When I started this blog, my theme was simple living, and living by faith. My desire was to get myself and others back to a more simple life. That life was to be centered on God, and the study of His Word. Along with that, my thoughts were toward family, crafts, cooking, and things that just felt less techno.
Of course, it was pointed out to me that blogging is technical, and so was owning anything like an iPad, Kindle etc. Social media was not simple. Oh well. So I did not entirely make the transition to simple living. I’m still working on what that looks like.
One thing that isn’t so simple is my life with Type I diabetes. Diabetes is not simple or easy. After being diagnosed in 1970, I can honestly say that while technology has helped tremendously, it still has not been an easy journey. Where an insulin pump has made life a tad easier, it still requires patience and a life of constant adjustments. It gets in the way of some of those simple things I want to be doing. Diabetes presents a constant invasion of numbers, and musts and have to’s. It is not simple. It marches in and over anything that requires my attention. Activities and moments of real creativity and fun, end up trampled on at times. Because diabetes is a real time snatcher, but that time is a necessary investment.
I hope if I toss this into my journey of faith, dancing with the simplicity of Christian living that you won’t pass by my blog. If you are a PWD (person with Diabetes) of any type, you know it isn’t simple. You might shake your head, and walk away. Upset that such a topic might even make it into this kind of blog. You might be angry with God, or with your circumstances. I for one believe that many people live in countries where diabetes care is less than perfect, and technology is not there to assist. I don’t ever want to forget that.
I could not make the journey of faith without God, because I could not do the diabetes thing without God.
Psalm 119:114 (MSG) 114 You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.
My constant rock and source of strength through all that is diabetes, is God.
I can’t give you medical advice, but I can listen and share my own story. Yes, even in a blog about simple living by faith. Diabetes can show its face, but it cannot win. It can build courage and determination, but it cannot take over. It can cause your focus to shift to numbers, and meds, and carb counting and the like. But your ultimate goal and focus can be built on faith in God and His call on your life.
We may live in different parts of the world, and our resources for dealing with diabetes may be quite different. I hope to see you on the path of hope and faith. He’s got your back through it all. Feel free to comment……..
Sprinkled Hearts
Hebrews 10:19-23 (NKJV)
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Are You Being Transformed?
IICorinthians 3:18 (HCSB)
18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Take Me Deeper online study. Week Three. Shine!
Visit His Kingdom Come for more information.
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