One More Time

Philemon 1:4-7
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Have you ever wanted to sit with someone one more time?

The older I get, the more I realize I may not get to see people one more time. Over the last several years, friends and family have moved from broken bodies on this earth to perfect, healthy bodies in heaven. I’m rejoicing for them, and I’m missing them.

The other day, Tim and I took Rosie to a park to walk. I’d been sick a few days before, so I stayed in the car, still tired from the bout of illness. I watched them walk a circular path, then my sight landed on a blue swing with a beautiful backdrop. Gold and orange trees stood at attention behind the colorful swing. I thought, what if I could sit on that swing and talk to anyone I wanted to? Of course, I would sit with Tim and chat about the day. I could take any of our grandkids or kids and their spouses. Perhaps a friend or two would come by and we’d laugh and talk. Then I thought—what if I could bring anyone back and talk to them about heaven—wouldn’t that be a glorious conversation? They could tell me about the incredible worship and praise of God and conversations with Jesus.

Since that’s not possible, I had another thought. Wouldn’t that be a lovely place to sit and talk to God? A place to pray for my loved ones and readers. A place to appreciate the beautiful fall weather and thank God for His provision and remember those we’ve loved who have passed. It’s good to sit and thank the Lord for the people He has placed in my life. 

I hope as I remember you, you know you give me great joy and encouragement.

Do you have a favorite place to ponder and pray?

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!

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.

Sunday is Coming!

 

Mom Lived Ninety-five Years

Mom taught me a lot of things...

to finish my work

to work with my hands

to read and respect the written word

to love fiercely

to laugh

to cry

to hug

to cherish my family

to grow flowers

to love Jesus and share His hope.

Thank you, Mom

In remembrance of my mother, Maxine Frost

1927-2022

 

Trust

Some weeks are harder than others. This is one of them.

A dear friend passed from this earth and entered the gates of heaven.

My heart breaks for his wife, one of my best friends, 

even as I rejoice in his eternal peace.

When life hurts and things don't make sense, there's only one thing I can do.

Trust in the Lord and his plan for us. 

 

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.”

Luke 24:50-53
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!

Jesus promises new life. Rejoice in the Lord this Easter!

Click to Tweet: The Hope of Easter

When Heaven Means Healing

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When my phone chimed before seven in the morning, apprehension echoed through me. My daughter, Maggie, had news—sad news. A dear friend of Maggie's and co-worker and close friend of my daughter Sara's had passed away from cancer. We'd prayed for Tina for a year. My grandchildren, who had Tina as their teacher, lifted her up to the Lord every night. Yet, she left this world anyway. I know my daughters struggled with how to tell their kids. They all loved Tina and had faith in God's healing. I could only think to tell them that sometimes healing means heaven.

Now and then I wish I still had the innocence of a child. I love their unmarred viewpoint that shows pure faith and compassion. After Maggie talked to eight-year-old Zeke about Tina's passing, he expressed to his momma that he wanted to visit Tina's mom Sandy, because he knew as sad as he was, Miss Sandy was sadder. Bless his heart.

Sometimes I don't understand why life gives so much heartache. Some days I can't comprehend God's plan. But what I do know is that I can trust my heavenly Father. Jesus knows grief. He lived it. When his good friend Lazarus died, the Bible says, "Jesus wept." He cried tears of sorrow. Granted, Jesus had the ability to raise his friend from the dead, but he gets it. He understands the sadness, the sorrow, the brokenhearted. And for those who love and follow Jesus, he raises them up too; totally healed and dancing in heaven.

Even when grief weighs me down and I struggle with reality, God guards my heart and holds my hand.

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.

Healed

Did Martha Go Wash the Dishes?

John 11:21-27
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

I like Martha; Jesus' friend and Lazarus and Mary's sister. Too often she gets a bad rap. She's accused of worrying about the practical things while her sister rested at Jesus' feet, learning. But when you read the rest of her story...

Martha loved her brother and sister. It appears she takes good care of the household they share. Of course Lazarus has responsibility as the male in a Jewish household. No doubt, Mary does her part. But Martha makes sure the everyday things get done. Food is prepared, water is drawn, floors are swept, clothes are cleaned. But don't be fooled by Martha's focus on the essentials.

In her story from John 11, her brother Lazarus has died. Martha and her sister sent for Jesus, but he arrived after the fact. I'm sure she and Mary prepared Lazarus body with oils before they laid him in the cave and pushed a rock in front of it. So they knew Jesus was too late to heal their brother. I'm guessing Mary wanted to sit at Jesus' feet again and listen to his wisdom and comfort. But Martha wanted hope. In her heart she knew Jesus' power, she understood his significance, she believed he was the Son of God. That faith paid off. Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave and brought him back to life.

Martha and Mary witnessed this miracle up close and personal. Did Martha go wash the dishes? No, she confessed her faith to Jesus. When Martha needed to, she took care of business. Yet, along with her can-do spirit she worshiped her Lord and shared his hope. I like Martha. She's a nice blend of practical and faithful. Her feet scurried around the house even as her heart was full of Jesus' love.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”