Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Constant Consistency
Saturday, April 8, 2023
He Defeated Death
Matthew 28:1-6
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the
week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There
was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from
heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The
guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The
angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are
looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just
as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
His enemies crucified Him on Friday. On Saturday, His
people mourned. On Sunday, Mary Magdelene and Mary witnessed a miracle.
Jesus died on a cross, one of the cruelest punishments of
that time. His enemies tortured Him, spit on Him, and mocked Him. Yet, Jesus
loved them. He longed for them to be part of His kingdom.
I started watching The Chosen this week. Experiencing how people may have lived, at the time Jesus walked the earth, draws me closer to understanding the life and love of Jesus. He longed for people to trust Him and place their hope in His father. The people of that time had waited for the Messiah to arrive. Some thought he’d wear a crown as royalty, while others pictured a warrior in uniform. Instead, God sent His son, a humble servant who came to die, so we can live.
This weekend, as you celebrate Easter, focus on Jesus’
precious gift of life. God’s Son came to earth as part of God’s plan that gives
us a path to heaven, a path I don’t deserve. Yet, Jesus took on our sins, died,
and rose again.
He defeated death and rejoices in life!
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
From Our Chaos
Saturday, July 16, 2022
Life Compared to Algebra
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit
searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s
thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one
knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have
received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from
God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what
we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by
the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
Some
things are hard to comprehend. My granddaughter and her friend
In high school, we split into groups according to what we wanted to do after we graduated. I was in the college prep program with specific classes assigned. The school required I take algebra 1 & 2 and geometry. I’m not ashamed to admit, I didn’t enjoy algebra or even begin to understand it. I felt frustrated because I couldn’t wrap my head around the concepts. I struggled through and managed to pass, but I still don’t enjoy math.
Life,
compared to algebra, has proven to be much harder at times, but as a follower
and believer in Jesus, I’ve been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. At times
understanding the supernatural abilities of the Holy Spirit seems out of reach,
yet the Spirit knows me and knows God better than anyone. The Spirit
understands my needs, helps me navigate the world and keeps me on the path God
created for me.
I love the
words in 1 Corinthians 2:9; “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and
what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love
him.” God has revealed through the Spirit the very life He has prepared for me.
It sounds so simple, but without faith is so hard to comprehend. God had given
his followers the Holy Spirit as a guide, a wisdom revealer, a prayer, and a
caretaker. In faith, I trust the Holy Spirit to guide me and whisper to me what
I need to know.
Even though
I don’t understand the supernatural elements of God, Jesus, and the Holy
Spirit, I know the Three-in-One loves me and wants the best for me.
Trust the
Holy Spirit’s lead.
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Fiction Review: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip: A Novel by Sara Brunsvold
Book Description:
Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment
than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas
City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial
task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered
hospice care.
But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian
may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy
away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young
reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants,
that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for
it.
Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational
story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little
deaths to self. You'll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!
My Thoughts:
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip took great talent and understanding
to write. Brunsvold created a beautiful story of life and death that touched on
every emotion. Clara Kip believes in God and trusts Him in everything, but only
after life had tromped on her heart. Aidyn Kelley wants to succeed as the journalist
she knows she can be, if only the editor would give her the chance. Through connections
unknown to Aidyn, she is given an assignment that involves Mrs. Kip. The more
she learns about the woman, the more fascinated she becomes. If you want to
read a story that tugs at the heart-strings and leaves you with hope, this one
is for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in
this review are completely my own.
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Do I Show Others Grace and Love?
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Work of Heart
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Celebrate Hope!
but Jesus offers the greatest hope of all.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
He Stands By Me
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Trust
Saturday, April 3, 2021
The Hope of Easter
Luke 24:36-39
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and
said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened,
thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled,
and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is
I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you
see I have.”
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
The disciples grieved Jesus’ death.
The apostles, Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother Mary, and
several other followers watched their Lord and Savior die an agonizing death on
the cross. I can’t imagine the heartbreak, especially for his mom. Jesus’ best friends and family witnessed his
torture and his final breath. Even as they mourned, their faith in their Lord
did not waver.
In their hearts they tucked the promise of Jesus’ return.
What they didn’t realize was how soon they’d see him again.
Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus body to an empty tomb he’d
prepared for himself. After the body was wrapped in cloth, he placed him inside,
then he rolled a stone in front of the opening. After the Sabbath day passed, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to the grave to pour spices over their beloved
friend. An earthquake shook them and an angel appeared propped on the rock he’d
rolled from the tomb. Then the women received the surprise of their lives—Jesus
stood in front of them and greeted them.
Can you imagine?
Jesus keeps his promises. He told his followers he’d raise
from the dead, come back to life, and see them again. Yet, they didn’t
understand. Kind of like us. The Bible teaches us of Jesus return, his second
coming, that will occur so quickly none of us will be expecting him. But Jesus
keeps his promises, and he will come here to take his children home to heaven.
Easter is all about HOPE!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
In the Palm of his Hand
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.