He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Hello friends!
Terribly sorry for my absence the last few days. I know they were terribly important to the project I was working on and I desperately wish I had an excuse other than "I got busy" for my lack of posting.

Lightning catch up round? Great! I'm ready when you are!

Good Friday: The people back in that day didn't know it was good. There was a trial, Jesus was beaten, mocked, made to carry a cross, then hung on it and was crucified.

Jesus said he willingly gave his life up for those that had sinned. On the cross, he asked God to forgive the people because they didn't know what they were doing. Right before Jesus died, the skies got dark, there was an earthquake, and the temple veil was torn. Jesus was then taken down from the cross, prepared, and put in a tomb.

Holy Saturday: This is the day that "nothing" happens. The high priests asked Pilate to seal Jesus' tomb because they were afraid the disciples were going to steal his body and pretend he has been resurrected. Jesus went to hell to set the captives free. The people mourned over Jesus because they thought he was gone forever.

Easter Sunday: Early Sunday morning, several women, including Mary Magdalene, went to the tomb to anoint the body of Christ. When they arrived, a massive earthquake was felt as an angel rolled the tomb stone back and told them Jesus was not there. Jesus was alive! They met Jesus on the path and fell at his feet in worship. They were instructed to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee and they would encounter him there. Jesus was seen by over 500 people when he came back. Jesus encountered some of the disciples but they didn't recognize him. Can you imagine not recognizing Jesus? Have we seen him and not known who he was? That's a scary thought and a different topic for a different day.

To celebrate Easter, I'm going to give you my top five favorite Easter songs. Some are traditional, some are contemporary, but they all speak a message of great hope that we can find in Christ Jesus being alive!

He is risen, friends. He is risen indeed! Christ took the power of death. Will you be thankful to live?

Holy Week: Maundy Thursday

This is the day that Christians usually think about when they start "Holy Week". Today, tomorrow, and through Sunday, Christians everywhere will reflect on the actions of others and realize the power of love, specifically, the love God has for us.

The most beautiful thing happened with Jesus and his disciples. Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist and washed his disciples feet. Can you imagine? Your Lord and Savior washing your feet? I probably would have been like Peter and would have tried to stop Jesus. Maybe because I know my feet are gross...but probably just because I don't feel I'm worthy of such an action, especially from Jesus. After Jesus washed his disciples feet, he reminds the disciples to love and care for one another. No servant is greater than his master and you will be blessed if you follow Jesus' example.

When he was done, Jesus took the bread and the wine from the meal and blessed it, giving us what we now celebrate as holy communion. Before, Jesus told Judas he knew he was going to betray him. The other disciples didn't understand.

Then, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Jesus then took the cup, gave thanks, and said, "Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood, poured out."

After the meal was finished, Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter didn't believe it and promised he would not, along with the other disciples. Then, Jesus told them he was getting ready to go where they could not follow him. Confused, they didn't know where or how to find him. Jesus assured them he would prepare a room for them in his Father's house. Then, Jesus told the disciples he was the only way to go to the Father. Those who wish to must believe him him first.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays to be glorified, prays for his disciples, and prays for all believers. He goes, prays, and returns to find the disciples sleeping three times. When Jesus went to them the third time, he knew it was his time to be arrested.

During the arrest, Judas pointed Jesus out to the priests and Peter stole a sword and cut off a guard's ear. Pretty intense, huh? To make it worse, Jesus was right about Peter. He was sitting and three different people came up and asked if he was with Jesus. Peter said no all three times. Immediately after the third time, a rooster crowed and Peter ran and wept.

Can you feel the emotion of that Thursday evening? It brings chills to my skin thinking about it. I remember sitting in church when I was younger during our Maundy Thursday service. As our Pastor would read deeper in the scripture, the lights would get more and more dim. Eventually, they would be out. Sitting in the dark, listening to the words being read was intense. What made it even more intense, someone would ring a gong and the spotlight would shine on the cross. It was such a powerful image, I don't think it will leave my heart for a long time.

Tonight, I challenge you to read Matthew 26 and John 13-18:18. The words in the Bible will give you the details I left out. Open your hearts tonight as Jesus prepares to give the ultimate gift to the world. Are you ready to receive it this weekend?

Holy Week: Holy Wednesday

Holy Wednesday, or "Spy Wednesday" as so many people call it, is the beginning of the end of Holy Week. The end is the part that most Christians are familiar with because of Good Friday and Easter...aka "I don't have to go to work and my kids eat a ton of chocolate".

The Wednesday in Holy Week started off with Jesus resting. He had a lot going on the past two days and was preparing for Passover. As he rested, Judas went away to meet with chief priests. He agreed to show them where Jesus would be. In return, he got 30 pieces of silver.

In the evening, Mary washed and anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. The disciples didn't understand why she was wasting it. This was foreshadowing Jesus and his death and how they would prepare his body. See, everything has a purpose.

As I close today, a very, very short entry, I want to take the time to pray for each of my readers. I don't know exactly who all of you are but know that you are covered in prayer. I'm so blessed (beyond blessed!) to have you reading and encouraging me. Thank you for everything you've done, do, and will continue doing.

Holy Week: Holy Tuesday

Jesus was one busy man on Holy Tuesday! Not only did he go back to the temple to finish up what he left Monday, he also taught several lessons to prepare his people. 

While all of the lessons Jesus taught were important, one of my favorite ones falls in here. Naturally, I'm going to gravitate towards that one. It's funny how God works as well...today, March 26, 2013, I've seen nothing but bickering and hatred on social media. People are "fighting" for equal rights for gay people.

Truth is, I don't care. I have several friends who are gay. I love them just like I love my straight friends BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE CALLED TO DO!

Don't believe me? This is my favorite lesson:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."'

Any guess why it's my favorite lesson? Because, like I've said over and over and over again, we are reflections of Christ. When people see us, they see God...or they should. When they see us, they should see the light. The salt. A promise for a new beginning. A hope for tomorrow. And, most importantly, they should see someone they can trust to pray for them, no matter what they're going through. 

Can you imagine if we were left alone to pray just for ourselves? Our world would be such a scary place. I can only sit back, lift my hands, and thank God we are not alone.

When you tell people you're going to pray for them, do you actually mean it? More importantly, do you actually do it?

I can't tell you how many times I've told people, I'll pray for you and not 3 minutes later, I forget what I'm praying over. Luckily, we don't have to know or remember every detail because God knows.

But

I'm using this as a challenge.

Remember that fig tree from yesterday? On Tuesday, Jesus used that to show the disciples about faith. Jesus cursed the tree and it withered. When the disciples questioned how it withered so quickly, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

One of the biggest problems with this last part of this verse is the context people read it and believe it in. Is God going to give you a million dollars and let you lose 100 pounds by only eating Krispy Kreme donuts? This isn't Bruce Almighty. 

But, I've found that given time, the true desires of your heart will be given to you. Often, when they present themselves, they're in the perfect timing and not when you wanted them most. Sometimes, you'll find you didn't really need them after all. God's knowledge is just that good.

I'm challenging you to live my favorite lesson: The Greatest Commandment. Love God, love each other as yourself, all will be right with the world.

How will you love your neighbor when it's tough?

Holy Week: Holy Monday

Overturning tables, yelling, and cursing things? That sounds more like a night at the local fraternity house than an event my Lord would do during his last week.

Wrong.

The day after Palm Sunday is known in the church as Holy Monday. Monday held quite an adventure for the people of Jerusalem. Before returning to the temple, Jesus saw a fig tree. He walked over to the tree but it had no fruit, just leaves. Jesus cursed the tree and said no one shall ever eat from it again.

A bit dramatic? Maybe since it wasn't in season for this tree to bear fruit. However, it symbolizes so much more than Jesus being hungry. (Hey, wouldn't that be an interesting Snickers commercial? They say you aren't yourself when you're hungry...)

How many times do we look like we have something yet lack it? As Christians, once we commit ourselves to God, we are adorn with leaves of Christ. We are expected to bear the fruit of the spirit and share it (give it away!) and love each other as Jesus loved us. Often, we have the leaves but our fruit is lost. Jesus is coming to you hungry, do you have what you need to feed him? To feed others hungry for his fruit too? Don't be a dead tree and lack the fruit you need. If you are in need of a little fruit, pray to God. He'll water you and give you the extra TLC you need to feed people.

After Jesus cursed the tree, he goes to the temple. What he found made him so angry, he turned the tables over. In the place where people should be going to meet God, scammers had set up a market. Jesus overturned tables, rebuked the unbelief, and made the people who were cheating others leave. Can you imagine listening to Jesus say, "Is it not written: 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'? But you have made it a 'den of robbers'." I get chills just thinking about him saying that. Guilt? Maybe. But I think it's more the sign of teaching the truth.

In life, we have two choices. We can either accept the challenge that living a Christian life brings or we can not. If you accept the challenge, you're expected to go at it with all your heart. We are warned about being lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16). God knows the truth of our hearts. You can fool anyone but Him.

When Jesus comes to you, will you give him fruit or will he see you bear nothing. Will you go to the temple to worship or to see what you can get from others? My prayer as we continue this holy journey this week is that we learn from the teachings of Jesus. Today, evaluate where you fall in this story. God is waiting with open arms for you to go running back to Him.

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

What exactly is Holy Week? What does it entail? Why is it such a big deal?

For some, it's seen for getting what you gave up back. Hooray for consuming chocolate, coffee, bread, and getting your social media back! But what did you learn over these past few weeks about not having them? Did you rely on God when you were tempted? Did you fail? Did you even remember that you gave it up?

There's no such thing as the perfect Christian. (Even Jesus wasn't the perfect Christian...ya know, because he was Jewish and all...) but God will catch you in grace and forgive when you stumble.

The eight days that are the root of the Christian faith are so crucial, so important, so valuable, and yet, they're so hard to understand, most of the week is overlooked. In fact, most of the Lent season is overlooked. Sure, we have our "iconic" moments, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday, but what happens between that? "Lent reminds us that there's no victory without struggle, no crown without a cross, no love without suffering."

Today, we'll look at Palm Sunday. Jesus rides into Jerusalem and is greeted by people waving branches and shouting "Hosanna!" How exciting and wonderful it would have been to be there. After, Jesus went to the temple. He didn't stay long and returned to where he was staying to rest and pray.

Today, I encourage you to prepare for this week with a heavy but happy heart. Jesus suffered but it was for a greater good. You might be suffering but you will be victorious in the end.

To read encounters of Palm Sunday in the Bible, check these sections out in the Gospels!
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, & John 12:12-29

If that isn't enough to get you excited, here's a worship song to help prepare Christ coming to meet you. Hosanna!

A little Christian humor...

Don't expect God to open a door that you don't have faith to walk through

It's been a month since I promised to blog my Lent adventure and how I was going to walk away at the end of 40 days closer to God.

Then, life happened.

Between being a little under the weather, midtermish things at school, drama with different organizations, and trying to stay afloat in life, I've failed miserably at both blogging and getting closer to God.

Then, today, like a ton of bricks, God hit me. (He tends to do that so I kind of just go with it...) There words literally brought tears to my eyes as I read them over and over again.

Don't expect God to open a door that you don't have faith to walk through.

For those of you who may know me personally, I'm getting ready to graduate from The University of Virginia's College at Wise with a Bachelor's in Communication. Over the past three weeks, I've applied to almost 30 jobs. Some at hospitals, some in school systems, some in offices, some as a nanny. Others are in doctor's offices and people's homes and at churches and schools. While some have said no because they're looking to hire before May, some have just ignored me. Today, I had a phone interview with a company that was ready to hire me on the spot...if I invested $275 into their company right then and there.

What?!

I can't believe I almost fell for a scam like that. And honestly, I just don't have the funds to find out if it's a for real deal or not. It would have been perfect-work from home, not have to commute, keep Harper if Erica needed a little extra help, take on another family for some extra income. It really was great...but is it a door that God has opened for someone who thinks they can pull the wool over a soon-to-be graduate's eyes and laugh on their way to the bank?

Don't expect God to open a door that you don't have faith to walk through.

Same thing goes with my relationship with Him. I've been struggling...okay, almost ignoring, my alone time. I have it here and there. I hear a worship song and I stop and close my eyes, wondering how I could have neglected the true love of my life. Then my phone buzzes and I'm brought back to the world, leaving the light and walking off less salty and more spicy than I would like. (If you'd like the definition of being "spicy" in the world, you can email me.)

Two months from yesterday, I will be walking across the stage, shaking Donna's hand, and graduating from a place I have loved so dearly for five years. God is opening doors for me. Am I going to have faith to walk through them? We aren't promised tomorrow. I'm not promised that God will smack me with a ton of bricks every time I fail.

Join me in prayer as I listen to His plan for my life. All I want is for His will to be done.