RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

Praise the Lord. Risen indeed!

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11) 

(Source JAE)

Risen indeed!

Glory be to God on this resurrection Sunday!

SHOW ME THE WAY, A LENTEN JOURNEY!

A Lenten journey for me began this year with what was necessary to keep my focus on things above, not on things of earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow,. (Psalm 25:4)

A plain path.(ASV). Good path.(CEB) Even path.(DARBY) 

Level path.(ESV) Right path.(GNV) Straight path.(NIV) Upright path (NEV)

The necessary. The basics. The bottom line.The longings of the soul.

Henri Nouwen's book, Show Me the Way, was filled with reflections on the road of faith, which is God's way., along with prayers of openness.

Why O Lord, is it so hard for me 

to keep my heart directed toward you?

Why does my mind wander off

in so many directions,

and why does my heart desire

the things that lead me astray?

Let me sense your presence

in the midst of my turmoil.

Take my tired body

my confused mind,

and my restless soul into your arms

and give me rest ---simple, quiet rest. (p.35)

GOOD FRIDAY!

GOOD FRIDAY!

For Christians, this day is part of something bigger.  It's a part of Holy Week celebrations of Christians and Jews focusing on the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ. 

How could such a horrific act be a cause for celebration? 

Christ's suffering points to a bigger redemptive picture.

Worshippers across the globe use it as a time for mindful reflection. 

Spiritual discipline of fasting can aid in this time of reflection, confession of sin and prayer.

Good Friday represents what Christ did in obedience to His Father which resulted in redemption for all who believe through the shed blood of Jesus. 

A true outpouring of God's love. 

Good Friday communion is done in remembrance of this.

Good Friday. 

An emphasis of devotion to God pointing the way to Resurrection Sunday!

FELLOWSHIP--A STEP ABOVE!

Many of us have lots of friends. Often among friendships there are boundaries or commonalities. Caregiver companions. College chums. 

Work friends. Work-out buddies.

I am a companion of all who fear you, 

of those who keep your precepts. (Psalm 119:63)

Fellowship. Believers together regardless of the time or place.

A relationship where heart speaks to heart. 

Fellowship. A step above all the rest!

SOVEREIGNTY!

How did you start your day today?

If you started with a cuppa self-sovereign-TEA, I hope you spit it out!

Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies ON Wednesday (3/22) reminded me that too often our behavior can replicate that of our toddlers. Me first. Mine. 

We can be our own worst enemy. We need to be rescued from ourselves!

More of Thee ........less of me!

We need to appropriate more of God's grace.

• Grace gives us hope.
• Grace decimates our delusions of self-sufficiency.
• Grace works on our behalf.
• Grace helps us submit to the true Sovereign God of all grace. (1 Peter 5:10)

Grace rescues us from us.(Tripp, New Morning Mercies, 3/22)

BECKONING!

Beckoning! Appealing in a way as to be inviting!

I think of a "pull toward" spiritual activities; yet, could also be a pull toward things of the world. Distractions.

Distractions...unique to each individual. Golf tourneys might not be mine but a good book or crossword puzzle could easily beckon me. 

"Set your affections on things above not on things on earth." (Colossians 3:2)

Some places seem to beckon. Do you have a place that calls you? 

Seek first the the kingdom of God....(Matthew 6:33)

A place to beckon you before God's throne of grace!

Go their first and all the rest will fall into God's place.....unique for you!

SILENT RETREAT!

Silent Retreat.

Enough said.

Actually N0THING said aloud....for approximately 2 1/2 hours.

Not sure specifically because I never looked at my watch!

Those who really know me will find that hard to belief.

In quietness and trust is my strength. (Isaiah 3:15)

PREPOSITIONAL PROOF!

Prepositions have purpose in writing!

First grammar info I remember learning about a preposition is never end a sentence with one! Not to worry that rule is now obsolete but I imagine that change would have Miss Rosa Nourse roll over in horror.

Remember those very small words which can show direction, or location. Functional words as Merriam-Webster says most often combining with a noun to make a phrase for modification or prediction.

All of these observations became so clear as I read and re-read yesterday's New Morning Mercies March 27 entry.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Check out the prepositions in the above verse…….each can be important in your understanding of the truth. 

Crucified with Christ---He took our names to the cross on our behalf, a redemptive historical fact.

Christ lives in me---present redemptive reality

I live by faith in the Son who died for me---life shaping result

Proof positive in the life of a Christian.

MONDAY MUSINGS!

Somethings "RING" TRUE.....whether in a Sunday sermon or are echoed in a Monday text from friend, Doris!

It's as if the Spirit of the Lord is saying, "Can you hear me now?"

Loud and clear musings for this last Monday in March.

CARING!

If people could use one word to describe you, what do you think it would be? Given that challenge to describe friend, Crickett, one word kept coming to mind. Caring. 

Think synonymously....Kind. Concerned. Thoughtful. Trustworthy.

My One Word to encompass Crickett Keeth.... "Caring"-- with all the above listed facets.

Crickett has always understood the value of fellowship, knowing how difficult it is to do life alone. She shows this as she blesses lives of many. 

She cares for others in various ways with her time, resources and strengths: 

• devoted to others in love as she honors them above her self. (Romans 12:10) 
• serves others humbly in love (Galatians 5:13c) 
• carries another's burdens, (Galatians 6:2a) 
• trustworthy to keep requested secrecy .... as she looks to the interest of others (Philippians 2:4) 
• In fact, Crickett is known world-wide as a caring encourager who builds up women and spurs them on in a teaching ministry. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

GOD is not unjust; He will not forget your (Crickett's) work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. (Hebrew 6:10) 

Now, that's caring at its best! Think all caps...........

THINK CARING CRICKETT! 

Then.....THANK CRICKETT for listening to the Lord and coming to First Evan 17 1/2 years ago.