Good, Good Father

Luke 24: 1-6a

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!"

I don't think it's an accident that we celebrate Easter in the spring, the time of new life.

Two places bring me closer to the Lord than any other. One is the ocean, the other is the woods. Tim and I hiked through one of the local wildlife preserves on good Friday. And I couldn't help but think about Jesus. I spied trillium as blood red as the blood Jesus spilled. White trillium reminded me of Jesus' forgiveness and how he will make us whiter than snow. Patches of purple dwarf larkspur wore their royal robes, like those of the King.

As we walked, the peacefulness of the forest calmed my busy mind. With worries and stress quieted, the beautiful song "Good, Good Father" whispered in my ear. At one point I closed my eyes and let the music fill my head. God is a good, good father and without doubt he loves every one of his children. So much so that he sent his own son to save us from sin and offer us the road to heaven.  

Spring is the time to rejoice in new life. The flowers, the greening up of the trees, but most of all the resurrection of Jesus.

Let's celebrate Jesus this Easter. 

Haiku #3

True Freedom

Bible Review: The Woman's Study Bible (NKJV)

About the book: 

The Woman's Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God's truth for balance, hope, and transformation.

Special features designed to speak to a woman's heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman's identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.

Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, 

The Woman's Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Since the publication of the first edition of The Woman's Study Bible under the editorial guidance of Dorothy Kelley Patterson and Rhonda Harrington Kelley, this landmark study Bible has sold over 1.5 million copies.

Features Include:

-Beautiful full-color design throughout

-Detailed biographical portraits of over 100 biblical women

-Thousands of extensive verse-by-verse study notes

-Over 300 in-text topical articles on relevant issues

-Insightful essays by women who are recognized experts in the fields of theology, biblical studies, archaeology, and philosophy

-Book introductions and outlines

-Hundreds of full-color in-text maps, charts, timelines, and family trees

-Quotes from godly women throughout history

-Set of full-page maps of the biblical world

-Topical index

-Concordance

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the publisher:

In business since 1798, Thomas Nelson is one of the oldest Bible publishers in the world and the largest publisher of the King James Version. Their mission is to inspire the world by using our talents, assets, opportunities, and influence to engage and equip people with Scripture and draw people to a deeper study and understanding of God's Word.

Find out more about Thomas at https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com.

My Review:
As reviewers we were asked to look at a profile or study feature of a particular book of the The Woman's Study Bible . I chose the book of Colossians. To highlight the messages in Colossians the authors have inserted beautiful text boxes filled with wisdom. The insert for "Creativity: Expressing Your Gifts" caught my attention. I've always considered myself to be a creative person, delving into many crafts over the years. But what I love about their insight here is the talk of creativity beyond arts and crafts and how we can be creative in so many other ways. Some they include are: solving a problem, stretching a budget, hatching an idea. God has given each of us gifts. What a joy to know we can use them for Him. Other inserts in Colossians include "Identity in Christ: A Member of His Family," "Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness," and "Employment: The Rewards of Work." These are all beneficial and encouraging in our walk with Jesus. One other insert I love is the one called "My Identity in Christ." The writers list who I am "As a Christian" with "Scripture Reference." Along with the uplifting messages, there are footnotes that explain the scripture's meaning. The Woman's Study Bible is a lovely rendition filled with interesting and useful information that will encourage and uplift women as we study God's word. I also love the colorful flowers on the study cloth cover and pink tint to the gilding on the pages. The attractive cover invites me to open God's word and dig in. I highly recommend this beautiful Bible. I received this Bible from Thomas Nelson.

Colossians 1:29-2:1-3 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Fiction Review: Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon

Description:

Wishing for things that can never be is foolish . . . or is it?

Hope Harbor police chief and single mom Lexie Graham has zero time for extracurricular activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police chief?

When Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a troubled young man from heading down the wrong path, sparks begin to fly. Could it be that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either could imagine?

My Thoughts:

I love that Sandpiper Cove is all about second chances. This is the third Hope Harbor story I've read. And I've enjoyed each one. A trend I've noticed in several of the books I've read recently, is the added viewpoint of a child or young adult. In this story a young man named Brian is at a turning point in his life. I like how his story is intertwined with Adam's. Lexie's mom and son Matt also play an important part of her story. They ground her character and add the voice of reason at times. If you enjoy a solid story with a bit of mystery and romance you'll like Sandpiper Cove. I received this book for free from Revell.

The NKJV Woman's Study Bible' Grow in the Word Giveaway

You're invited to receive God's truth for balance, hope, and transformation in the fully revised and redesigned The NKJV Woman's Study Bible. The new edition features a beautiful, full-color redesign and poignantly reveals the Word of God with Scripture insights and the contributions of more than eighty women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Special features designed to speak to a woman's heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman's identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.

This spring, cultivate your heart's spiritual roots and enter to win the Grow in the Word Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The NKJV Woman's Study Bible (winner's choice of design)
• A decorative plaque
• A rose gold Tree of Life necklace

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on April 27. The winner will be announced April 28 on the Litfuse blog.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is...

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

This week we remember Palm Sunday as Jesus trekked through the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey. The people met him and waved palm branches and sang, “Blessed is the king of Israel!” In Jesus' humble way he knew his future was death and his celebration meant freedom for all who followed him.

He knew the road led to torture and sacrifice, yet he took the path anyway.

Why would this man who understood his destiny walk right into death's door? 

Because he loves us. He knew he offered the only means to forgiveness and eternal hope.

Jesus death and resurrection offer a freedom like no other.

Freedom from the weight of worry.

Freedom from the love of material things.

Freedom from anxiety.

Freedom from the opinions of politicians and Hollywood stars.

Freedom from society's values.

Freedom to pray at any moment of the day.

Freedom from sin.

Romans 3:23-24 ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

Jesus is the only road to heaven. He gives forgiveness, freedom, and hope.

On this Palm Sunday weekend, know that Jesus died so everyone would have an opportunity to live in freedom. Praise the Lord for his Son!