Resurrection Day Thoughts

As the day comes to a close, I am just so amazed at the true meaning of today and what today truly cost. We started the day with an Easter egg hunt for the children, then I talked with them about the death and resurrection of Christ and how it was for them. I came home and took a nap, as my traditional Sunday schedule. Then was blessed with my husband’s attendance with us to church in addition to Malachi, Tim’s brother’s son. Then we went to Pizza Hut for dinner and found out that Arkansas lost to North Carolina. Grabbed some ice cream and came home to watch Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.

I am so moved when I watched this movie, but today saw the Crucifixion from other’s view.
I thought about what it would be like for Mary, mother of Jesus to watch her son die. I can’t imagine this and can not even begin to picture my own son in that position. Or how I would feel as a mother, knowing my son gave up his life for all that I had done wrong. I could only think, "Lord thank you that you sent your son, and that I don’t have to sacrifice my own, but that it was my Lord who paid that price. For that I am eternally grateful."


Then I thought about what it was like for Mary M. to watch Jesus suffer and die. There are so many speculations about her relationship to Christ, but it is clear that she was close to Christ and loved him. I have lost many close friends, but I thank God that I really did not have to see any of them go through what Jesus did. I could only say "Thank you Lord that I am your friend, and that you were willing to lay your life down for me."

Then I wondered about Joseph - Jesus’ earthly dad. Where was he? After Jesus was twelve and in the temple teaching, I don’t recall to much more about him. And then I praise God because I was allowed my earthly father for almost twenty-one years of my life but also know that I have a Heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake me."

I think about that high priest and the look on his face as he watched Christ being scourged and crucified. What was he thinking that day? Was it really worth the cost? As he watched it unfold did he find satisfaction or condemnation? I must thank God that he sent his son to be the high priest, to take my sins upon him and that he revealed his mercy to the world that day.

I think about those who actually beat and crucified Christ. Were they just doing their job or did they take pleasure in the torture? Did they feel different this day? I feel sorrow, as I think that it was for my sins he paid this great price.

I think about John, the beloved. He was the only one who stuck around. He was there as his friend and savior died. He was there to take care of Jesus’ mother and Mary M. to comfort them. Lord I thank you for being a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but I also ask that you send true friends like John to be in my life, and help me to be like John too.

I think about the man who carried Jesus’ cross. Did he believe Christ was the Messiah or did he feel burdened to have to help this condemned man. I thank God for the cross and the price that was paid so many years ago.

Easter Egg Thoughts

This morning we started with an Easter Egg hunt for the children at church. I know that eggs are not what Easter is really about - in fact eggs have nothing to do with it. But as I stuffed, tossed and watched the eggs be picked up by 40 excited children, I am reminded of what the egg represents. We do plastic eggs filled with candy. And while they have nothing to do with the true meaning of today they do hold some value in teaching children about the love of Christ and the true meaning of today.

1) You see we are all lost and must be found - just as the eggs must be found.
2) The eggs are whole, but must be broken to get the candy. We think we are whole, but must be broken if we are ever to allow the good things in our life to come out.
3) The eggs are hollow, just like the tomb.
4) Jesus went into the tomb, but came out. Just like the candy goes into the eggs, but has to come out to be enjoyed.
5) We are suppose to come to Jesus as little children. Have you ever seen the way children come to an Easter egg hunt! They are on a mission, passionate, excited, and ready to fight to get what they want.
6) Eggs are a sign of new life and fertility. When we come to Christ we are given a new life and have the ability to bear fruit.
7) Just like the little plastic eggs come in many shapes and sizes with one purpose - so do we. We all have different gifts and talents, we are all different shapes and sizes. Our end goal is the same - to end up in the basket going to Heaven. No one person is more important than the other it is our collectiveness that makes a true difference.

Today I Miss You

It is been eleven years, but today I miss you.
I am feeling sentimental and tearing up too
Although I have come to realize the time was right
When God took you home leading you into the light.

At first I was angry and couldn’t understand
"Have faith and he will be healed" were the words of the preacher man
I thought I let you down when my prayers didn’t come true
But God’s will was done that day in you

You stood forgiven for all that you did
The wrongs you did when I was just a kid
You could stand before God knowing all was forgiven
Not worrying if you would once again turn to sin

But today as I go visit that plot of land
I can rest assured you are in God’s hand
So even though there are tears in my eyes
As I quietly try to hide my cries

I know that one day I will see you again
When I meet my Savior and hear the angel band.
I just didn’t know, didn't have a clue
That today I would still be missing you.

The Light

I have been reading a book by Christine Caine called Stop Acting Like a Christian and Just Be One. In one of the Chapters "Into All the World" she tells about her young daughter's fascination with flashlights. The little one would take the flashlight all around the house all day long while it was daylight running down the batteries. She draws a correlation to the church body and how we are to be the light of the world.

As I thought about her message, I saw a different picture. Just as her daughter liked to shine the light where things were already lit – we Christians spend so much of our time wasting our energy (The battery) where there is already light. We confine our ministry to the church instead of taking it out into the darkness of the world around us.

Don't get me wrong, there are needs within the church body that allow our light to be shown, and most of the time we spend all our time and all our energy shining the light around our church body. We are thinking that our light is so bright, but when it comes to the world around us we don't have the energy to minister.

We should just open the door and shine it outside and truly illuminate the world around us. We need to bring in the world around us, into the light and out of the darkness.

I want to be a light in the darkness. I want my light to shine at church. I want my light to shine within my family. I want my light to shine in world around me. I want to draw others into the light. Not to glorify myself, but to glorify God.