Alive? What Do You Mean He's Alive?

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 that gleamed like lightning 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 has risen! 

In mid-March, South Carolina beckoned me. I flew down to spend a few days with my youngest daughter. I left gray skies and the possibility of snow in Ohio. On Monday, Hannah and I headed to Falls Park. I love standing on Liberty Bridge that overlooks the Reedy River and waterfall, the centerpiece of the park. Along the walkways, tulips and pansies blew in the breeze. Redbuds bloomed and the grass had greened up. New LIFE surrounded us. And I loved it! There's something about the freshness of spring that reminds me of the new life I have in Jesus.

Early in the morning—on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and her friends walked to Jesus' tomb. She expected to find his body there. Instead she found hope. Amazing, refreshing, exciting new hope! I can't begin to imagine how Mary's mind must have reeled. "Alive? What do you mean he's alive?" She had to have asked. Two men in gleaming clothing stood before her and told her, "He is not here; he has risen!"

Just as Jesus said he would.

He died for our sins. God brought him back to life...for us! Yes-for all of us! Jesus loves us so much more than we can fathom.

On this Easter, thank God for his son and the beautiful grace covered path he paved for us to heaven.

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18

Spring!

Fiction Book Review: High Cotton (Bucklin Family Reunion Book 1) by Debby Mayne

Book Description:

Some families are filled with so much love they can’t help but drive each other crazy.

Shay Henke has mixed feelings about going to her family’s next reunion. On the one hand, she’ll get to see everyone in her mama's family—folks she loves unconditionally. On the other hand, she knows there’ll be more drama than you can shake a stick at.

The days leading up to the event bring one surprise after another. First Shay must deal with her sister-in-law’s deep, dark secret. Then she has to contend with the childish ways of her business-mogul twin cousins. And when her high school crush wants to be her date to the reunion . . . well, it may have been a dream come true for Shay’s teen self, but the woman she’s become doesn’t know what to make of this.

Shay’s contentment is challenged, and she’s determined to shake things up a bit. But will she find the excitement she’s looking for, or will Shay realize she prefers her quiet and predictable life? One thing is certain: Life in the Bucklin family is never boring. 

My Review:
The Bucklin family is full of quirky characters, including nosy aunts and meddling mamas. While the younger generation tries to figure life out, the older generation gives sage advice whether it's welcome or not. Shay seems to be at the center of everyone's problems and their triumphs, including her own. Although Debby Mayne is an excellent storyteller, I found the roles of the men and women in the families a little old fashioned. I did like the unconditional love the family had for each other, but felt the story lines were a bit dated. This just wasn't my cup of tea. I received this book for free.

God's Handiwork

Young Adult Fiction: Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Book & Movie)

Book Description:

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. 

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. 

My Thoughts:

My granddaughter and two of my daughter's have been encouraging me to read and watch Wonder. I finally got to watch the movie, then immediately wanted to read the book. I loved both! Yes the book is a little better. But I have to say the movie is fantastic. This story should be required reading for every middle schooler and their parents.

Some of the things I loved about this story:

• The author promotes kindness
• Auggie's parents love him and his sister unconditionally 
• Auggie's parents take the responsibility they are given and make the best situation possible for their family 
• The fifth graders are portrayed realistically, quirks and all 
• Anyone running a school could take some cues from Mr. Tushman 
• The various points of view add depth to the book 
• This book/movie has no hidden agenda...just be kind

If you are like me and haven't gotten around to reading this wonder-filled book or seeing this inspirational movie, go for it. I wish I hadn't waited so long. Yet, I'm glad I can bring attention to it, now.

Thank you Dilly, Sara, and Hannah for sharing this story with me.

He Breathed His Last Breath

Luke 23:44-46
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

My daughter and I drove to Sullivan's Island to visit the ocean. Being from Ohio, I don't get to listen to the crashing waves and feel the wind off the water often. When we arrived we set up our spot on the sand then walked toward the salty water. Along the way, we spotted a sandy graveyard of jellyfish. They rested all along one area of the beach. I researched later and found out this phenomenon tends to happen in the spring when the cold waves roll in. A natural process for the sea.

After Jesus dragged his cross to the top of the hill, the soldiers nailed his hands and feet to the wood, then dropped the cross into a hole in the ground. With a thud, they planted him there. With a thief on either side, Jesus waited to die. Unlike the jellyfish, this was not a natural process. He was murdered by the people who despised him. Sad as he was about it, he knew his Father's plan for his life and understood his place in the story of salvation. After humiliation, frustration, and pain, Jesus committed his spirit to God and breathed his last breath. He knew his role, he knew the sacrifice involved. Jesus died because he loves us. He died to set us free.

Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Rainbow Row-Charleston, SC

My daughter, Hannah, and I visited Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina. Fourteen, mid-18th century homes towered over East Bay Street. The pastel colors created the quintessential essence of a charming city in the south. With the palms waving in the sea breeze, I felt like I was in a southern novel. What a gorgeous scene.

According to Free Tours by Foot, the homes were originally built in the 1740s. Merchants constructed them with a shop on the first floor and living quarters above. After the Civil War, the area was neglected and became run-down. Dorothy Porcher Legge, a pioneer of historic preservation in Charleston, with her husband purchased some of the homes in the 1930s, restored them, and painted them pink. Other buyers and restoration followed, resulting in a colorful array of homes.

I loved the pink and periwinkle. Wouldn't it be fun to have a street like Rainbow Row in every town and city? The beautiful homes brightened the street and my day.

Spring Haiku

Healed

For Us

John 19:16-17
Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

In southern Ohio, we've had a taste of winter again before it blows out of here and welcomes spring. A few snow flurries sticking to the trees, then gone with the wind. Temperatures that dip enough to drag out the heavy coat, one more time. But we know at the end of this cold, grey season—spring arrives with color, brightness and hope. I love winter, but by this time in the season, I look forward to spring and the beauty that blooms and flutters.

With the thoughts of new life, I've been pondering the new life Jesus gives. But like winter, there was a dark time before the light. Jesus, accused of wrong doing, took up his cross and dragged it through the streets to the place where he knew he would die. The accusations flung at Jesus were false, yet he carried his cross. Literally, as he bled from a flogging, he carried his cross. Along with the heavy wooden burden, he carried our sins. Yours and mine. He carried the cross for us. Not for himself. He had no sin. But we do, and he understood he'd be the one sacrificed for us.

For us.

And that's just the beginning of the Easter story. Jesus sacrifice and pain.

For us.

How could he love us so much? I have a hard time comprehending his love. But Jesus does love us, enough to suffer this world, then die in our place. Praise God for his obedient and compassionate son.

Isaiah 53:7  He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Eternal Encouragement

Worn and Well Read

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

At halftime of our granddaughter's basketball game, a couple of boys took the floor. They practiced their shots and dribbles with a well-worn basketball. The orange color had dulled to a brown and the black grooves smoothed out. As they shot we could tell they spent hours with the ball, not just from the condition of the ball, but by the way they handled themselves on the floor.

After Billy Graham passed away, I read some articles about him. In one, the writer talked about how Billy always left his Bible open. Frequently throughout the day, he'd look at his Bible to see what God had to say. I love that picture. A wise man of God continually consulting the book of truth. Like the basketball the boys wore down, Billy wore through the pages of the scripture. Obviously, he not only read the Bible but lived it.

We are so blessed to have God's word to guide us. Think about how much more difficult life, as a believer, would be if we didn't have a reference of truth to read and study. I may not understand every word, but I know the ones I do understand are God's. I want to be a follower who not only wears out my Bible but lives by the beautiful truth of God.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. -Psalm 119:105

This Old Tent

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 

I never dreamed when I turned fifty how many parts of my body would begin to fall apart. I know I'm not alone in this. No matter the age, the body can go wonky. Most days my back hurts and my bone-to-bone knee cries for help. Sometimes my fibromyalgia is more than I can bear. To be honest, I get frustrated about the things I can't do anymore. I've cried over the changes to my body, been depressed when I can't keep up with my responsibilities, and yes, even felt sorry for myself. Pain stinks! The body's crumbling frustrates. But even in all the pain, I have good news.

Even though our bodies are wasting away, Jesus has a plan for us to receive new bodies. Did you hear that? Brand new bodies, with no pain, no falling apart, no wasting away. Through Jesus we have a path to heaven. Because he died for our sins and offers forgiveness to anyone who believes in him, accepts him, repents and is baptized, he will welcome us with open arms into heaven. And then, we'll have a brand new, perfect in every way, painless body. I don't know about you, but for me that's exciting. To imagine a life with no pain gives me hope.

I look forward to the day I meet Jesus, and this old tent I live in becomes new.