He is risen!
What an awesome day! We started the day with checking the oven for our resurrection cookies (hollow merengue and almonds). They kids thought they were cool, but our 5 year-old was a little underwhelmed that they did not turn into chocolate chip cookies overnight... lol
Service was great today as our pastor preached our of 1st Thessalonians and the resurrection of our bodies and the rapture of the church.
The kids then had an Easter egg hunt.
Anyway, as I sit here and think about the day, I am reflecting on the real love and sacrifice that our Saviour has shown to us as well as the future resurrection that waits for believers when the Lord returns.
At the end of the day, I am happy that our children know and can explain the real meaning of the today which is not an easy thing to do when trying to keep your 5 year-old's mind off of the chocolate bunny in the next room... lol
Thank you, Lord for your love, sacrifice and for chosing and saving us!
Because Truth matters,
George
Today is Good Friday and as I sit and reflect on the meaning of this day, I am humbled by the love and sacrifice that our Lord has made.
During the lessons this week, I've challenged the youth and Royal Ambassadors to look beyond the busyiness of the week... to look beyond the time away from school... to look past the candy and to stay focused on Jesus on this week of all weeks.
As 9:00 this morning rolled around, I thought about that point in time some 1976 years ago when Jesus was brutally beated, humilated and crucified on a cross.
It's unfathomable to think about the shame, scorn and separation that He went through in my place, so that I could have eternal life. To think that Jesus was thinking about me while he suffered and died is almost too much to comprehend.
The song, Wonderful Cross, taken from an old hymn comes to mind.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his
feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and blessYour name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
Wow... Lord Jesus, help me to honor you especially during this week; the week that we celebrate your glorious resurrection and outpouring of your love.
Because Truth Matters,
George
I like quotes and find them interesting. People use quotes in a number of ways such as to make or refute a point. We often quote the Bible in such a manner. We also do this with "fathers of our Christian faith"; with those people that we consider "spiritual giants".
While God should be our focus and the Holy Spirit our guide, I do believe that articles of truth can be shored up by a quote offered in line with what the Bible teaches.
Anyway, I came across this quote today and wanted to share it. I find it interesting considering the modern landscape of Christianity today.
“One of the most popular current errors, and the one out of which springs most of the noisy, blustering religious activity being carried in evangelical circles these days, is the notion that as times change the church must change with them. Christians must adapt their methods by the demands of the people. If they want ten-minute sermons, give them ten-minute sermons. If they want truth in capsule form, give it to them. If they want pictures, give them plenty of pictures. If they like stories, tell them stories. If they prefer to absorb their religious instruction through drama, go along with them—give them what they want. ‘The message is the same, only the method changes,’ say the advocates of compromise.”
- A.W. Tozer
Because Truth Matters,
George
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
- Jeremiah 33:3
How are you living your life and faith in front of your children? Do you reflect a life of faith and trust in Jesus? Does your life reflect what you say?
The following is a short cool video about how kids observe what their dads do and what they learn and although it's a father and son in the video, the same applies for both mom and dad, boys and girls.
“The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them...providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church...the need is for Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt that it sets men aflame.”
- CH Spurgeon
The title of this quote is taken from Ecclesiastes 1:9-14.
Because Truth matters,
George
I recently came across this interesting picture from a postcard that churches can sent out to people. I think that it's very thought provoking, not only along the lines of it's original intent, but also for what it means to the individual Christian.
The way that I see it is that it's a call to an awakening; a process of self-examination for Christians attending churches and pastors alike.
Christian: Do you give God the leftovers of your day, grabbing a bite of the Bible when you have time, or are you taking the time to feast on the riches of God's Word?
Pastor: Do you fee your flock the Word of God or are you giving them just enough of a "rush" to get through to the next service where they will come back and hear the next feel good message?
We cannot neglect our spiritual bodies and expect to be a healthy and growing Christian, much like the fact that we can't neglect our physical bodies and expect to be healthy.
To quote an old church sign,
7 days without God's Word, makes 1 weak.
Because Truth matters,
George
He is risen!
