Why Easter?

Why is Easter a holiday? I mean, it cannot be based solely on a life-size bunny hopping around delivering gifts and hiding eggs, who are we kidding. So, what is the true reason Easter is celebrated and observed?

[A clip from the movie The Passion of the Christ"]

Throughout the Bible, Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and divinity is prophesied and then, recorded. 

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold,he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” - Matthew 27:62-66, 28:1-10

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened." - Luke 24:5-12

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time..." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

Easter is celebrated because of the resurrection of Jesus! Through His death and sacrifice, we find forgiveness. In his resurrection (which was recorded to have been witnessed by over 500 people!) we find eternal life, because through His power, He defeated death! What a joyous occasion... forgiveness, love, and life. 

Will you join me in celebrating this Easter for what it really stands for?

Easter Playlist

Christmas is a time when radio stations play the multitude of songs specific to the holiday for a month before the day of celebration. Easter, not so much... it doesn't have the music hype.

But, I thought it'd be fun to share a sample of songs that portray, encompass, or touch on the Easter story. While many Christian songs are obviously about Jesus, these I felt like touched on, specifically, His death and resurrection. I am certain there are many more, but here are some I plan to enjoy and play this week as we approach Easter! I hope you are encouraged and reminded of the sacrifice paid on your behalf--by Jesus--in order that you may be united into a right relationship with God.

Hosanna
Shout Unto God
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Jesus Messiah
Mighty to Save
Jesus Paid It All
God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)
Lamb of God
Amazing Love
At the Cross
By His Wounds
Up From The Grave He Arose
Jesus, Friend of Sinners
Your Great Name

[All songs available for purchase on iTunes]

Shattered by Betrayal

We have likely all faced betrayal in our lives. Even Jesus experienced betrayal. As I was recently going through a lesson in Beth Moore's Breaking Free Bible study titled "Hearts Broken by Betrayal" I loved some of her thoughts. She began with reading Psalm 55, where King David pours out his heart after the betrayal of a close friend. 

"For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng." - Psalm 55:12-13

Beth then writes, "Only a person who has had intimate access to your heart can betray you to the point David described." Have you ever had a close friend turn their back on you and/or betray your trust? I'm sure we all, or at least the majority of us have. I know I have experienced that pain and it is something I would never wish upon anyone... when someone who knows the depth of your heart digs in deep, knowing full well that they will cause you pain. And this brings me to my next point.

Beth goes on to share that the betrayal Jesus faced when Judas brought a crowd to arrest him was different than the betrayal Jesus faced when his disciples fell away in fear. Evil and fear often cause one to betray another, but oh how different those motives are! The difference is premeditation. Judas knew exactly what he was doing and followed through, knowing the ramifications. The disciples responded quickly and in the moment. I would venture to say that intentional, premeditated, betrayal is the worst kind. Not only does the betrayal itself royally hurt, but the thought that someone so close to you sought out to cause you pain is almost unbearable.

Ok so, pretty somber realizations and truth here. But the good news in all of this is that because Jesus has gone through what we all go through, he can sympathize with us! "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15 We can find comfort when we face the pain of the turning of a friend. Beth, with more wisdom, shares, "To best know how to bind up the heart broken by betrayal, He chose to experience it. Christ ministers to the betrayed through His example." Not only does He offer comfort, He offers The Way. We can find the "higher road," if you will, by following the footsteps of Jesus. When someone close to you hurts you, are you tempted to fire back? I know I am. But by seeking to follow Jesus, I can (and you can!) find solutions that do not involve retaliating or responding in anyway that is unChristlike. He navigated through betrayal and pain without sinning. By following His ways, we can too (although, we will probably still be tempted!).

When the reality and pain of betrayal come your way, seek the comforting embrace of Jesus. And remember, He knows exactly how you feel.

"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted." - Isaiah 61:1

Spring Break [After]

Spring break has officially come to an end. It was a much needed refreshing week, for sure! Although I dearly missed my husband (especially at night as I am such a scaredy cat!), my week was productive and enjoyable. 

Before the week began, I jotted down a list of things I wanted to set out to achieve, aware I wouldn't get them all done -- but I needed to have something to aim for!

What I did end up getting done... =)

Read
- And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers - a GREAT read with plenty of surprises for me!
- Completely His by Shannon Ethridge (this I have read before but I think I could use a refresher!)
- Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (this I have also read before but if I get to it, would love to again!)
- I ended up (almost finishing) The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. I thought about the other 2 books and chose to read a book I hadn't yet read that had been on my "to-read-list" for quite some time.

Crafts/Projects
- Wreaths (one for the front door, one for the kitchen) - here's my very first wreath! It'll soon be finding it's home on our front door. One was enough for now. The kitchen wreath will come soon enough.

- Replace St. Patrick's Day mantel decor with Easter decor - here's what I threw together to spruce up our home for Easter!

- Distress dining room table - I realized getting the table outside to do this, by myself, was more challenging than it was worth.

Shop
- Tyler's birthday - no such luck... poor guy. Hopefully I get SOMETHING by Friday....
- Easter basket fillers - SUCCESS! Sweet sweet success and so excited to give these fun treats to Tyler!
- Still on the hunt for tunics! (and I get to do this with a sweet friend) - My friend and I decided to wait until we were in a better financial position to go shopping... haha.

Fun
- Lunch with friends - loved Chick-fil-A with Missy, Bible study on Tuesday over coffee, tea, and snacks, and lunch with a friend at a Mediterranean place downtown!
- Zumba - no Zumba... but I did make it to the gym!
- Blog

Connect
- Skype (family)
- Call (friends, family) - I did this but would've liked to have caught up with some more people, for sure.

Clean
- Front door - now a clean home for the new wreath!
- Shower (it needs a nice deep clean) - whelp, still no clean shower. Shame.
- Floors (they need a good mop and shine) - what a workout to Swifter and mop wood floors throughout.... man!

And in addition to what I planned, I was able to spend some great time with the Lord in prayer, reading His Word and continuing to go through Beth Moore's Breaking Free Bible study; enjoy some chick flicks; spend a fun night with some gymnastics girls who were all unable to go home for break; get a huge dent in laundry; and sip tea from my new tea set!

Now that it's over, I am beyond thankful to have Tyler home safely, and am looking forward to finishing out the semester with a bang and look ahead to all that summer will hold!

Redeemed & Called By Name

This morning, as Natalie Grant's voice filled the air, I sat down with my coffee and Bible and opened to Isaiah. Only recently have I began to really cherish all the truths and promises found in the book of Isaiah. Each time I read through Isaiah 43, specifically, I end up underlining or circling something new, so eventually, I'm sure the whole passage will be marked up! But, it's only because God continues to use this specific chapter in Isaiah to speak tenderly to my heart. And there is no doubt in my mind that He can and will speak to you through these words as well. Without further adieu, Isaiah 43 my friends (emphasis mine).

Israel's Only Savior

43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴ Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
⁵ Fear not, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.
⁶ I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,
⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

⁸ Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
    who are deaf, yet have ears!
⁹ All the nations gather together,
    and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
    and show us the former things?
Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,
    and let them hear and say, It is true.
¹⁰ “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
    nor shall there be any after me.
¹¹ I, I am the Lord,
    and besides me there is no savior.
¹² I declared and saved and proclaimed,
    when there was no strange god among you;
    and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
¹³ Also henceforth I am he;
    there is none who can deliver from my hand;
    I work, and who can turn it back?”

¹⁴ Thus says the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I send to Babylon
    and bring them all down as fugitives,
    even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.
¹⁵ I am the Lord, your Holy One,
    the Creator of Israel, your King.”

¹⁶ Thus says the Lord,
    who makes a way in the sea,
    a path in the mighty waters,
¹⁷ who brings forth chariot and horse,
    army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
    they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
¹⁸ “Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.
²⁰ The wild beasts will honor me,
    the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
    rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
²¹     the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.

²² “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob;
    but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
²³ You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings,
    or honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
    or wearied you with frankincense.
²⁴ You have not bought me sweet cane with money,
    or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins;
    you have wearied me with your iniquities.

²⁵ “I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.
²⁶ Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;
    set forth your case, that you may be proved right.
²⁷ Your first father sinned,
    and your mediators transgressed against me.
²⁸ Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary,
    and deliver Jacob to utter destruction
    and Israel to reviling.