REAL MEANING OF EASTER

For so many, Easter is just a time to buy baskets, fill them with eggs that are boiled and colored or plastic that can be filled with candy or whatever. All sizes! For some, it is a time to purchase new clothes, maybe even an Easter hat and white gloves. (OK, I'm dating myself) In fact many are buying presents like it was Christmas. And, even for their animals.

What is the real meaning of Easter. The following verses tell us just what happened on Easter. But, wait, first we must go to what we refer to as "Good Friday" - the day that Jesus gave His life for us. FOR ME! He was crucified upon a cross to take away the sins of the world. Only a Holy Person Who had never sinned could be an offering for the sins of the whole world. What an awful sight to see the Son of God hanging on that cross and suffering such agony for my sin. Oh, but God had a plan. Just before Jesus took His last breath, He cried, "It is fininished." What was finished!? The sacrifice for sin - for the sins of the whole world.

They took Him off the cross and laid Him in a tomb. Sorrow fell on all who loved Him. This is "Good Friday" - yes, good because our sin had been paid for. The story goes on...... "up from the grave He arose" - yes, on what we refer to as Easter morning, the grave was shaken and Jesus came forth, alive, alive, He has given us life!! When some went to the grave and found the stone rolled away, an angel said, "he is not here for he is risen." "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" - what a joy beyond words to describe as to the feeling of knowing that it was for me that Jesus died - and yes, rose again. Below are the words from Isaiah 53, telling us just what Jesus did for us. As you read it, please remember that it was for YOU that God gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. It is my prayer that whoever finds this blog and reads this will turn to Jesus and be saved. God bless you.

Isaiah 53
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground.He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;We have turned, every one, to his own way;And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
9 And they made His grave with the wicked --But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,For He shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors,And He bore the sin of many,And made intercession for the transgressors.NKJV

Jelly Beans

My precious granddaughter just loves jelly beans.

Here is a little poem I have had for years.

A Jellybean Prayer

Red is for the blood He gave,

Green is for the grass He made,

Yellow is for the sun so bright,

Orange is for the edge of night,

Black is for the sins we made,

White (white) is for the grace He gave

Purple is for the hour of sorrow,

Pink (pink) is for a new tomorrow.

A bag of jellybeans, colorful and sweet,

is a promise, and a loved one's treat.

Jellybeans -we cannot think of a little Easter basket without them. They brighten the little green grass in the little spring colored baskets and give it a special touch.

INTERESTING?

"People are not bank accounts, they don't have expected rates of return. Talk to your friends, ask them what they need from you -- that's the best way to ensure that you are doing your part in keeping the relationship thriving. Think with your heart, be honest about what you feel." '

With My Whole "HEART"

On November 6, 2008, I had tripple-by-pass surgery. I would never in even my wildest dreams thought that I would go through this. I will say, however, that the morning of Nov 6, I did have complete peace about what was about to take place. My daughter, Cathy, drove up from Atlanta to spend time with me. My hubby, Jim, spent hours sitting at my bedside. My other family came often during my stay in the hospital.

I do remember thinking about Jonah (a short book and I hope you will read it) and how he had been in the belly of a whale for 3 days and nights. And, so I thought, well maybe God was taking me through a dark and deep time to teach me a few lessons. How many times do I try to take control and do things my way. Do I always obey God, or do I run from His leading just as Jonah did. Because Jonah had disobeyed and gotten on a boat to run away, there came a terrible storm and the men on the boat were afraid. Where was Jonah? Well, he was asleep. Didn't even care if the people were scared. I asked myself the question, "do I sometimes not even notice those whom I love are hurting and maybe need a helping hand. Or, am I so content in my own doing, that I cannot feel their pain?" Is the way I am living a testimony for or against the Lord?

Now, please do not get me wrong. I am not saying that every person who goes through major surgery has disobeyed God and is being put through a test. I am just saying that for me, I felt I needed to address that thought. Actually, I probably could address the fact that I don't always eat the low fat, low salt foods that the doctors say is helpful in preventing heart blockage. I guess a combination of both.

But, whatever caused this is beyond my knowledge, so I will just dwell on the fact that God is so loving and brought me through this. The first 4 to 6 weeks, I just knew I would never work again, never be without pain, never feel like I would remember things again. Oh my, it was a difficult time. But, while laying around and wondering if I would ever get a taste for food again, or would I ever be able to sleep without being in an almost sitting position, I talked with my Saviour and learned how very PRECIOUS HE REALLY IS!

We had just starting visiting another church in July of '08, and didn't really know a lot of people. And, yet, when they heard of my surgery, our home was filled with meals from these wonderful people. One of the ladies had organized a group of families to bring dinner each night for a few days. My husband could eat!! The cards and letters and phone calls poured in from so many wonderful friends and family. God works through people and He sent us a "feast" of them.

Well, my heart is healing and my appetite is coming back and my strength is just as before and I can say so truthfully that God is so good! Why did I go through this? I can only quote Romans 8:28, "and we know that all things work for good, to those that love God." Yes, "it was good that I was afflicted that I may learn your statues." (Psalm 119:71) And, what does God want us to do? "He has shown you, (me) O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

DAY WITH DEBBIE

Yesterday, Saturday, January 10, I packed up all my inks, paper, fun pictures, etc. to make cards. Packed them in the car and took off for Debbie's. It was snowing and some of the roads were a little covered. Not really icy, but in spots. I called Debbie and said I was sorry but thought it better to wait another day. But, I really wanted to spend the day with her. So, I hesitated and then called Mike. He said Randall Road was clear when he went to work, so I decided to go on. Called Debbie and said I was on my way. Well, the roads got a little better through Batavia and Geneva, but as I reached South Elgin, the snow was heavier and because I was almost there, I just kept driving.

It took me 2 hours to drive. ( yes, I am cautious) It was a beautiful drive due to the white of the snow. When I got there, Debbie had just finished shoveling the snow off the driveway.

We went in and decided to take the tree down. So, I helped her take ornaments off and we had fun with some of them. The Knudsen tree is a "family tree" with many ornaments bought by family. Including me!! It was fun.

As I looked out the window, the snow and the wind were getting harder. I thought of the 2 hour trip there and possibly longer going home. Decided it might be better to leave early and forget the card making until another day.

So, we went to lunch (can't skip that) at Golden Corral and ate much more than we needed. Said our goodbyes and I left for home. Well, when I got back to around Geneva, it was not as bad and the rest of the trip was not bad either. I was a little mad at myself for being scared to stay longer. But, I guess really you never know and it is best to play it safe. I could have just stayed all night (Bill is with Dan in Cedarville) but I did not want to leave my hubby all alone that long.

The moral of the story: well, it could be DON'T TRAVEL THAT MANY MILES JUST FOR FUN WHEN ITS SNOWING. Or, it could be ENJOY YOURSELF AND NOT WORRY ABOUT WEATHER.

Have a great day.

PARENTS AND SCHOOL WORKING TOGETHER

This is just a little memory of mine that I thought of today. We were living in Malta, Illinois (a little tiny town about 5 miles west of DeKalb). I honestly can't remember what type of new shoe I got. I just know that I wanted to wear them! Like - now!! So, I told mom I was going to wear them to school that day. Well, mom said NO, those are not for school. It is pretty evident that I had at sometime disobeyed and got into trouble at school because I did not wear them.

And, yes, when I got to school, the first thing the teacher did when I walked in was to look down at my shoes and then she smiled. Good morning Pat, she said.

Yes, teachers and parents worked together then. My teacher would have sent me home to change them. Mom had called the school and said that I was going to wear my new shoes, but I wasn't supposed to. I really am glad that they stood up for each other. It seems today that kids do what they want and if a teacher does say something, they are in trouble.

I'm not sure why this little episode comes up every now and then, but I do remember it.

Let me tell you a little about going to school way back then!!! We (girls) had to wear dresses to school. In the winter, we would wear slacks (called slacks and not pants-all of them had side zippers not front ones) under our skirts, but had to take them off in the locker room and then put them on for recess and for going back home. Our clothes (maybe poorly dressed) had to be clean, neatly pressed and definately skirts that were not too short. Coming to school in clothes that didn't look neat was cause for teachers to call parents.

Boys had to wear pants and not jeans during school time. Jeans could be brought for recess time. Sure is different today.

We also had to be respectful to our teachers and not ever talk badly to them. What a great heritage I have had. I'm grateful for my age.

NO BLOCKAGE

We praise the Lord that Kytrina's test showed no blockage in the heart. Good news!!

It is so pretty and white out as it snowed quite a bit. Reminds me of the verse:

"Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together,"Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."

Yes, Jesus can take our sin and make us pure!! Have a great day.