Corner Cleanin’

Spring has sprung at our little house in the form of the annual cleaning that warm weather and natures new birth inspires.  I began this task with energy and enthusiasm, determining to show closets, yards, corners, desk drawers, and sheds no mercy.  Our bedroom closet took an entire day, but I was confident that the rest of the house wouldn’t take nearly as long.  As a work-from-home wife, I, of course, keep our home quite tidy! 😉 I soon began to realize however, that our tiny 1000 square foot house is not much more than just a storage box for “I’ll use that someday’s”, “I’ll fix it when I get ’round to it’s”, things being stored to sell, and precious mementos.  I have satisfactorily finished several get-tough-on-clutter projects so far, but I have a lot farther to go.

 As I clean my way through our little nest bit by bit, I have started thinking about life’s little storage boxes, corners, nooks, and cranny’s.  What about the shelf that holds a dusty friendship, the corner where we tucked “someday”, the closet bursting with “round-to-it’s”, the shed where we shoved unresolved pain or resentment, or even the drawer where we hide destructive secret sin.  When was the last time we prayed as David did,  “Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Try me and know my thoughts, see if there is any wicked, offensive, rebellious, or grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”?  Have cobwebs so taken over our hearts corners that we can no longer even see what is in there?

 As I was emptying out our bedroom closet that first day of spring cleaning, I discovered something unsightly and disconcerting.  I found mildew on the walls!  How long, I wondered, had it been there?  Where is the moisture coming from?  How do I get rid of it?  Then I began to wonder where mold might be clinging to the walls of my heart.  I began to pray, “O God, search me!  See if there is mold anywhere in me! Show me so that I can walk uprightly before You.” 

 But be ready when asking God to search you and bring to light anything that grieves Him, because that is exactly what He will do!   He  laid His finger on a part of my life and said “This”.

 Many years ago I entered a high school writing contest, and won first place!  But that was the only time before beginning Philosophies of Strawberry Short Cake that I ventured to put my hearts words on “paper”.  I have since fallen in love with writing, and along with posting this blog, I am excitedly developing a book!  I have always loved digging deep into studying the Bible and hearing the Lord speak, and as Christ followers, we are to be saturated with His Word!   Since the majority of my writing is about the One for Whom I live my life, I am daily immersed in hours of researching ABOUT Him.  Yet somehow I had missed the fact that I was spending less and less quality time alone WITH Him.   And that is precisely where the Holy Spirit laid His finger.  “This”.  

As I looked back on the last couple of months, I could only recall a spattering of times that I sat down with my personal Bible (not just those that I use for study and research), a pen, and my accent dry pencil, and asked my Father to meet me face to face.  And so I did.  I sat down at the feet of Jesus, looked full into His beautiful Face, and the things of earth grew strangely dim!  And then I did the same the next day, and the next, and the next.  As I sit with Him each morning, I become more and more aware of the corners and shelves of my life that need dusted or emptied.  And as I stay attached to the Vine through time in the Word and sweet communion, I gain the strength needed to sweep out those places.  

 Rabbit Trail Side Note: during my “face time” this morning, He turned the development of my book upside down and showed me how He wants it written! Yay! 🙂

As I complete each spring cleaning project, I just love how everything sparkles!  I walk around my home and just feel cleaner myself!  Where in your life can see that mildew or thick layers of dust need to be removed?  Is God speaking to your heart, pointing to “This”?  Don’t fear Him.  Invite Him to make you sparkle!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

 This is something that I posted on another forum in mid-February as a note entitled “Something on my Heart”.   I have edited, added content, and revised this piece, and pray God touches your heart as He desires.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO, what a ride”!!! I do not know to whom this quote is attributed, but I love  it!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I love fun and adventure, and that I’m a glass-half-full, happy, and very blessed girl.   Most of those that know me however, also know that my life has not been without painful trials and heartache.  Maintaining joy, peace, and passion for life has been a journey of resting in the arms and trusting in the heart of the Comforter.

 The tragic death of my father, and older brother (and only sibling), at very young ages (50 & 32 respectively), enduring an extremely painful miscarriage, a four-month season of intense spiritual battle with deep darkness, self-destruction, oppression, and despair, and numerous times of trials, loss, situational depression, temptations, and battles, ALL WITHIN THE LAST 8 YEARS, has served to teach me so much about my Heavenly Father’s love and care. Still, my experience often pales in comparison to what many others have had to endure!

 But there is something that Satan is using to further his only true purpose – to kill, steal and destroy – in the lives of God’s people. It is the epidemic of Christians becoming comfortable with expressing irreverent anger at the One that they have committed to trust with their lives, and the only reason being that He saw fit to bring or allow trials, difficulty, and heartache into their lives along with His goodness, love, blessings, forgiveness and mercy.  “God allows tough things to happen in our lives and only He knows why. But that doesn’t mean it is something He willed or planned.”, Stormie Omartian writes, “even if it were, indicting God for our circumstances is out of the question. Blaming God shuts off the very avenue through which His redemptive process flows into our life.”   Jim May writes, “In the darkness we learn to stop worshiping our experiences of God and come to God Himself. We cease to be devoted to what we think He wants, and…become devoted to Him.”

Often times we can become angry if our prayers are not answered in the fashion we prefer or expect. The prayer of the believer is to bring God our hearts and all that is in them with the knowledge that He alone is Sovereign over all and He alone must be trusted with the outcome. If we pray “Thy will be done” and then become angry with Him for bringing His will to pass, we show lack of faith and unbelief in His knowledge and care.  If our highest aim is as it should be, that is the glory of God, dare we become angry with how He sees fit to accomplish that?  The eighth chapter of Romans provides comfort in the twenty-eighth verse saying that all things will work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  This is a powerful, exciting, and unequivocal promise!  Yet when adversities arise, doubts abound among the very ones to whom this promise was made.  Why is this?  Has God not shown Himself to be faithful?  Has the righteous ever been forsaken?   Is the hand of Jehovah-Jireh shortened that He cannot save, His ear deaf that He cannot hear?  

 As I have come through the trials that have been allowed in my life, I have learned that if I can figure out what God is doing, if I can hold Him back from allowing pain, if I can force my will upon Him, and if I can wrap my human mind around or “get” Him, then I have a God I don’t want, a God that is weak, a God that is boring, a God that cannot be trusted.  If His agenda makes sense to us, then He is no bigger than us!  I don’t know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future, and that is all I need to know!  

  Matthew 5:45 says that God makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. “Shall we accept only good from the Hand of God and not misfortune?”, Job asks.  “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord”.   Job received a real lesson in trusting God through extreme misfortune.  He began to question God extensively and harshly after truly horrible and traumatic events God had allowed to happen.  And in the thirty-eighth chapter of Job’s story, we find the Lord’s response to irreverent anger, 1. “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: 2. “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? 3. Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” 

 Charles Spurgeon spoke the following words to a grieving mother at the funeral of her young son,  “When once we know that God has done anything…It must be right because He did it…He may not tell me the reason; but He has a reason, for the Lord never acted unreasonably…Infinite wisdom dictates what absolute sovereignty decrees.  God is never arbitrary, or tyrannical.  He does as He wills, but He always wills to do that which is not only most, for His own glory, but also most for our real good.” 

 We also need to look the  necessary balance within this subject.  We as lovers and followers of the Lord, are in relationship with Him.  We hear Him, talk to Him and learn from Him.  We are guided by His Eye, governed by His Spirit, and kept in His grace.  We are never forbidden from crying out to our Father and granting full and total access to our hearts, our frustrations, questions and anguish.   This is part of a relationship.  To not do so is another form of not trusting in Him.  The often neglected lynchpin of this subject is respect.  Reverence for Jehovah God and His Omnipotence.  Respect for His will above ours.  Bowing before Him and acknowledging His infinite wisdom and perfect love. 

 Scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way that we are.  This would by necessity mean that He was tempted to become angry with God.  Jesus asked His Father to allow that He not have to endure the cross.  The cross!  Pain, suffering, death.  “Yet,” He continued, “Thy will be done”.   And He meant it.  He reverently deferred to His Father’s will.  Satan has duped many into believing that God is far away at times of hardship, loss or disappointment, when the exact opposite is true. God has never been closer!   Learn to bless the Name of the Lord in the giving and in the taking.  We have, after all, not endured to point of the cross!

 “If some tragic crises, loss, or failure has happened in your life, embrace God in it!! Knowing the answers will not give us the peace we want. Refuse to let your sorrow silence your praise, and you will see how He sustains you.”  This quote  was taken from a precious book that I recommend for every believer.  “The Prayer That Changes Everything”, by Stormie O’Martian is a mind and life transforming look at the power of  praise.  Learning to worship our God, regardless of circumstance, is key to falling in love with our Lord, trusting that He knows and does all things well, and victorious living in Christ.

Scripture is full of examples, teaching, and comfort regarding suffering.   Read the love letter your Lord has written you and be encouraged dearly beloved!  Do not let Satan steal from you one of the greatest miracles in your life, for God inhabits our praises, and as we offer up the sacrifice of praise we see Him up close, we feel Him breathe, and experience His love and sufficient grace as ours.  Praise Him, exalt Him, worship Him, and do not allow the suffering of this life to cause you to miss the restoration and redemption God has planned through your trials.  He has dealt wondrously with you!!  Seek not only God’s Hand in your life, seek His Face and His heart!

We The People

We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty, to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ~ Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America. (Spelling and writing is same as the hand-written engrossed copy maintained in the National Archives)

As controversies surrounding current political figures and legislative practices that affect American rights and freedoms have become more prevalent, it is natural and necessary to turn to the Constitution, the bedrock of our entire system of government and what our Commander-in-Chief is sworn to uphold, and search out its original meaning and intent. I have however, been amazed at the amount of both political figures and private citizens that do not understand the Constitution of the United States; furthermore may have no idea what is even in the document. Congressman Phil Hare made quite a public showing of just such ignorance. I myself have not always known what the Constitution truly said. But with these controversies abounding and in need of discussion, many individuals can become so impassioned on a point, that they will say/write things that are untrue simply because they heard it second hand from a “reliable” source, without checking facts for themselves. This can be harmful to the very ideal that they are trying to promote.

I have witnessed this many times and so this particular blog is dedicated to all things Constitutional, and is an educational run-down of what is in our Constitution. It is my intention to not only provide understanding about the Constitution, but also to encourage all Americans to acquire a copy of The Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, and our Constitution, and to study them and become intimately acquainted with them, for only then can we truly discuss them in truth with knowledge.

The Articles of Confederation is the document that served as our country’s first constitution and was drawn up by the Continental Congress in 1777 and adopted in 1781. The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and first Chief Justice John Jay to advocate the ratification of the Constitution. These articles provide first-hand interpretation of the Framers true intent, philosophy, and motivation for the forming and writing of the Constitution.

So, class is now in session, attention please!

The Constitution is the highest law of our land (as stated in Article 6), sets the framework for governmental principles, and provides protection for American citizens. It is made up of the Preamble (which has no force of law, rather explains the “why” of the new Constitution), seven Articles, most of which are subdivided into sections, signatures of the delegates, and twenty-seven Amendments.

Article one of the Constitution establishes the Legislative branch of government, and its sections discuss the rights and responsibilities of the Legislature, as well as modes of operation.

Article two establishes the Executive branch of government and its sections reveal the powers and limits therein.

Article three establishes the Judicial Branch of government and its sections establishes the Supreme Court, guarantees trial by jury, and also defines treason.

Article four concerns the individual states, says that each state is to honor other states laws (ie, if a couple is married in Colorado, they are still married in Wisconsin; if a person is convicted of a crime in Ohio, they are guilty in Main, etc), deals with new states, and ensures a Republican form of government.

Article five details the amending of the Constitution.

Article six concerns the United States itself. It guarantees that the United States under the Constitution would assume all debts and contracts entered into by the United States under the Articles of Confederation. It sets the Constitution and all laws and treaties of the United States to be the supreme law of the country, and requires all officers of the nation and individual states to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States and the Constitution when taking office.

Article seven details the method of ratification.

This part of the Constitution was signed on September 17^th 1787 by thirty-nine of the forty-two delegates still present when it was finished. Originally, the Preamble, Articles with subdivisions, and signatures were all there was within the Constitution. This was ratified on June 21^st, 1788.

Amending is the act of correcting, making better, straight or right. The process for amending the Constitution was spelled out in the above mentioned Article Five. The first ten Amendments to the Constitution were ratified on December 15^th 1791, and this process would happen only 17 more times between then and May 7^th 1992.

The Constitution holds 27 Amendments. The 1^st ten Amendments were all adopted at the same time and are collectively known as The Bill of Rights. These are: (1) Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression; (2) Right to Bear Arms; (3) Quartering of Soldiers (prohibits, in peacetime, the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner’s consent); (4) guards against unreasonable Searches and Seizures; (5) Trial and Punishment says that you can’t be charged for a crime unless by grand jury or if a document is issued by a grand jury, except in military cases in time of war. Also guarantees that you cannot be tried twice for the same crime or made to testify against yourself. Compensation for Takings says that there is a due process for if the state tries to take your property and if they can take it, they must compensate fairly; (6) Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses; (7) Trial by Jury in Civil Cases as long as the amount of money in question exceeds twenty dollars (back then $20 was a fortune!); (8) Cruel and Unusual Punishment cannot be inflicted; (9) Construction of Constitution means that the Bill of Rights does not preclude the existence of other not specifically stated rights of the people; (10) Powers of the States and People states that any powers not delegated nor prohibited to the United States by the Constitution, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Amendment (11) dealt with Judicial limits – ratified in 1795; (12) with choosing President/Vice President – ratified in 1804; (13) was the abolition of slavery – ratified in 1865; (14) dealt with citizenship rights – ratified in 1868; (15) assured ability to vote regardless of race – ratified in 1870; (16) was status of income tax clarified – ratified in 1913; (17) dealt with the election of the Senate -ratified in 1913; (18) abolished liquor during the prohibition – ratified in 1919 (repealed in 1933); (19) granted women the right to vote – ratified in 1920; (20) defines Presidential and Congressional terms – ratified in 1933; (21) Amendment eighteen was repealed – ratified in 1933; (22) defined Presidential term limits – ratified in 1951; (23) discussed the Presidential vote for District of Columbia – ratified in 1961; (24) the Poll Tax was Barred – ratified in 1964; (25) defined succession in case of Presidential disability – ratified in 1967; (26) the voting age was set to 18 years – ratified in 1971; and (27) limiting Congressional pay increases – ratified in 1992.

The Amendments complete the Constitution.

This is not a meant to be a complete documentary on the Constitution, so get a copy and study! As lovers of freedom, We the People should be intimately familiar with our Constitution. Discernment is essential in today’s political debates and we can truly know what is right only if we hold the Constitution as the basis and foundation of American law and liberty.

Here is a link to a profound clip from the movie “Protocol”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb-BMCKB_TB0 As Sunny Davis says, “I’m responsible…I’m We the People, and you’re We the People…so (they’re) going to have to watch out for me, ’cause I’m going to be watching all of (them)…like a hawk!”

“I don’t live to exercise, I exercise to live”

 

My start in the world of fitness began in my early 20’s with a stair-stepper tucked into a corner of our tiny 800 square foot home, and quickly became an integral part of my identity.  Soon after, I discovered the mini-trampoline and found that bouncing senselessly provided immense joy while tightening my tummy and burning calories!   The jump rope also became an exciting action toy, as did the hula-hoop, ice skates, roller blades, and tennis rackets.  My husband and I often rode our bicycles on the trails that ran alongside the Arkansas River near our house in Pueblo, played street hockey with burnt down candles for pucks, and took advantage of the basketball hoop in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church that was located across the street from our little home.  I soon fell in love with running and found delight in anything that was active.

  A few years ago we bought a home at the base of the foothills of Pikes Peak.   This precious little haven is full of odd nooks and spaces begging to discover their own personality.   I designated one of them to be my new fitness headquarters and thanks to the patience of my husband, proceeded to fill this little room with a Craigslist supplied treadmill, spinning bike, Total Gym, Bosu ball, punching bag, mini-tramp, T.V., various weights, and a lot of Irish/American sweat.   This little part of heaven we live in is also very near a historic landmark known as the Manitou Incline.  This one mile, 2000 vertical foot staircase has become one of my main fitness routines, and at 31 years of age, I have more energy, physical ability, endurance, and faster recovery from illness than I did at 21. 

 Through all life has to offer, working out provides me with strength, joy, and a fresh perspective.   Even my 3-year-old nephew understands my need to move.  From the time he was 18 months old, he played with dumbbells and hula hoops while my treadmill and I kept rhythm together.  He has been fascinated with my tummy as I did crunches and looked like a fish out of water trying to mimic push-ups.  My husband also wisely understands that if “Jodi ain’t workin’ out, Jodi ain’t a happy girl”, and accommodates my exercise addiction. 

  I became fascinated with fitness for a few different reasons, not the least of which, of course, was body toning.  At the lofty height of 4 feet 11 ½ inches, my petite frame boasts a pear shape that my husband loves but clothes don’t.   I believe Jabez portrayed just one of the many differences between men and women when he penned his plea to God to enlarge his borders!  That is one prayer you will not find me repeating! 🙂   After 10 + years of dedicated exercise, I am well aware that perfection is unattainable.  My thighs will never lose their little dance of excitement whenever I move, and my backside still gives a nod to cottage cheese.  But, the dance in my thighs is less a jig than it used to be, my jeans are less cruel, and I actually dare to sport a bikini!

Fitness offers the ability to experience and enjoy the many facets of fun that life has to offer.  On our wedding day I promised my husband that love me or hate me, he would never be bored!  He will tell you that to this day I have kept that promise!   Rock climbing, white water rafting, hiking, dancing, skiing, scaling 14ers, and chasing a 2-year-old are some of the ways that fitness has helped me make that promise a reality.

Regular workouts also give the capability to recover more rapidly from injury and illness.  I recently endured a physically traumatic and painful miscarriage that left my body feeling ravaged, exhausted, and, well, lifeless.   Being fit made the recovery process smoother.  But the truest reason that I have a love affair with fitness is the emotional and mental therapy exercise provides. Only a few days after losing our tiny one, I knew what I needed to do.  I needed to run.  Simply run.  Not run away…just run.  I needed an adrenaline rush and a release of emotion.   I needed an energizing-head-clearing-I-will-survive run!  Nope, I don’t live to exercise, I exercise to live!!

No matter what physical condition you may be in today, get out there!  Go for a walk or for a bike ride, hike local trails, play tennis, climb the Incline, go dancing, or take Fifi to the dog park.  It doesn’t matter what you choose to do, but get active.  Exercise to live!!!

Forged Mate

Since I began writing “Philosophies of Strawberry Short Cake” my appreciation for the blogs of others has vastly increased.  Before my husband encouraged me to write a blog, I truly never understood what it was all about!  I am realizing that there is an incredible amount of time, passion, and effort put into writing!   I love the blogs of Mike (http://www.wildcatcreekreview.blogspot.com/), a respected friend and university professor.  They are amusing, eye-opening, and delightful.  The blog of his daughter Amber (http://amberevents.blogspot.com/), my dear friend and L.A. wedding consultant, is diverse and informative.  She blogs about both personal and business topics, posts others writings, and is witty, classy, and impressively easy to read.  I joyfully anticipate when my friend Julie (http://juliediterrell.wordpress.com/) , a missionary in Mexico along with her husband and 3 girls, has finished writing her latest blog.  I soak up the knowledge gleaned from Jan (http://janverhoeff.com/blog/); (http://janverhoeff.wordpress.com/2009/11/), a professional writer and friend-by-marriage, as I read her educational and thought-provoking political blogs.

The one that I enjoy the most however is that of my friend Megan (http://pearlmusic.wordpress.com/).  She writes with stunning artistry, haunting beauty, striking honesty, gracious humility, and soul-searching depth.  I would be remiss if I did not recommend Kleenex when reading Megan’s blogs!   I recently read a blog of hers entitled “The One”.  Being in the “marriage” category, my interest was piqued.    She revealed that she is not given to the idea of finding “The One” when looking for a marriage partner.   Considering that she is married, and very happily so, I found this interesting.  I read further.   Megan reveals that she does, however, see her husband as “The One”.    Her beloved became “The One” when she married him, simply because they stood in front of Almighty God, their friends, and family and pledged that they would be “The One” for each other.   From that time until death parts them, they are, for each other, the one.  I cried.  But more importantly, I understood.

There is a God given longing in the human heart for a soul mate – the one that knows us transparently, the one that accepts yet challenges us to grow, the one that deciphers our heart beat apart from anyone else’s, the one that touches the body and at the same time reaches the soul, the one that protects us from others, and will forsake all others for our happiness alone.   Let me assure you my friends, you will never find that person!   You will not find your soul mate and life’s partner at the end of a bar, nor will you find them at the end of a church pew, in a singles group or at a BBQ.  You see, soul mates are not found.  They are created.  They are brought to life through time and experience, love and acceptance, truth and knowledge, transparency and commitment, respect and growth, prayer and sharpening one another, and a willingness to submit to God and each other.

My husband is indeed “The One” for me.  He is my souls mate, my one and only, my hero, crush, lover, confidant, best friend, playmate, partner, buddy, advisor, and my own personal dinglebunny.   But he was none of these things when I met him and lacked many of these descriptions long after we began dating, and neither did I fulfill these titles for him.   I met my husband, spent time with him, developed a friendship with him, enjoyed him, fell deeply in love with him, and married him.   Within the 5 years that we dated, we grew a soul-connection, but made a soul-covenant on our wedding day.

Many non-married individuals are searching for their soul mate rather than realizing the necessity of creating the environment for one to grow.  Many married couples separate and divorce simply because, as the initial illusions dissipate, they begin to feel that they married the wrong person and truly didn’t find “The One” they were meant to be with.  My heart grieves deeply at each loss.  I grieve that God’s beautiful plan and purpose for marriage is not taking place, that these precious people are being robbed of the abundant life, and that there is a Sovereign-ordained solution not realized.  God is not indifferent about or unable to identify with the pain and suffering that can occur within marriage, but rather is fully available in the midst of it, and able to bring beauty out of it.

My husband and I have now been married for twelve and a half years.  We have come through many difficult, dark, and painful seasons – including some toe-to-toe, knock-down-drag-out conflicts between two iron-willed, passionate, and idealistic personalities!  We do not lead boring lives!  We have nevertheless, allowed God to work within us to ensure that these times have served not only to strengthen our commitment to covenant, but deepened the bond of our friendship and oneness.   I once asked my husband why he has not at any time mentioned divorce even in the midst of severe conflict.  “We’re married.” He answered.  “And beside, I made a commitment to God before I ever made a commitment to you.  I vowed to God that I would never leave you, and then I walked down the aisle and made that vow to you.  My original vow isn’t to you, it’s to God.”  Again, I cried.  Again, more importantly, I understood.   My precious husband wisely comprehended that you cannot find your soul mate; they are forged in fire and undying commitment.   He stood before our God, his family and friends – more importantly MY family and friends 😉 – and committed to a covenant to become my soul mate.

If you are single today, hold tightly to your Lord.  If He desires you to be married, He will bring your paths together.  Enjoy your friendships, forge new relationships, and don’t stress about finding “The One”.  Ask God to prepare you and guide you.  Stay close enough to hear the still small voice and He will direct your paths.  For those of us that hold a spouse close at night, remember to hold them close always.  This person is your “One”!  BE the “One” for your love.   For us all, may we love like we won’t get hurt, forgive as Christ forgave us, strengthen and sharpen those we love, accept them and pray for them, always speak the truth in love….and enjoy the soul mate creation process!!

HE IS RISEN!

The Mount of the Holy Cross

 

  My family holds a strong and long-standing belief that holidays are meant to contain enough food to feed an army…for many days.  Even non-holiday get-togethers are filled with loads of yummy goodness.   Easter dinner is usually made up of two kinds of meat, a layered salad, deviled eggs (dyed pink of course), mashed ‘taters, gravy, corn, my mom’s killer rolls, cheesy veggies (these were one of my brother’s favorites!), and a few desserts.  Eating is not taken lightly at our household!  And while food is of utmost importance, Easter also signifies the release from “no wearing white ”, and out come my seasonal white pumps (which are new this year!:) and spring dresses.      

But the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday is found in the words of an angel: “He is not here, for He is risen, AS HE SAID!!”  These words are among the most beautiful to me in all the pages between my well-worn Bible covers, and bring me to my knees in unworthiness, thankfulness, and awe.  The reason we celebrate Easter is the very reason by which our faith is affirmed, the very reason we can come boldly before the throne of grace, the very reason we can cry Abba, Father!, the very reason we have true, abiding hope, the very reason we have peace beyond understanding.  The reason we celebrate is that He is risen!  Risen with healing in His wings, risen to strengthen us, intercede for us, comfort, guide, direct, and protect us.  Risen to sit down at the right hand of the Father, risen to be our Savior, risen to be our reigning, soon coming King!    

There is a poignant phenomenon that happens in nature every year around Easter.   The pine trees ready themselves to proclaim this precious good news.   They start their new growth in the weeks before Easter and yellow shoots form at the top of their branches.  As the days draw closer to Easter, the tallest shoot will branch off and form a small cross.  Even the pine trees declare the glory of God by these tiny golden crosses and shout out in their own way, “For God SO loved you that He sent His only Son to die for you.   But wait, there’s more!  He destroyed the power of the grave!  He lives and because He lives, you can live also!”    

The pine tree’s miniature reminders bring us to the foot of the Cross of Calvary and Jesus’ immense gift of love.  “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).   At the cross His blood satisfied the penalty of our sin, purchased our freedom, and gave victory over sin and death!  It is finished!   The curtain has been torn in two, top to bottom, and now we have access to a Holy God and can stand radiantly robed in Christ’s righteousness, covered by His blood, and victorious through His might!    

I love the words of S.M. Lockridge in “That’s My King”.  “I wish I could describe Him to you.  He is indescribable, He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, He’s irresistible,…The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him…death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.  That’s my King!!”    My Redeemer lives and because He lives, all fear is gone and I can face tomorrow!!   That. Is. My. King!    

As I sit here and read the story of Salvation in my coffee stained Bible and try to write about it, I am overwhelmed.  I know I must proclaim what my God has done, but how?  I am reminded of the movie “We Were Soldiers” .  It’s my favorite movie and I know every word of it verbatim!   Its story follows Col. Hal Moore through the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, the battle of Ia Drang Valley in November 1965.   Joe Galloway, a newspaper reporter, hops aboard a chopper to the battles front line in order to better tell the story of the war.   When the battle was over, however, Joe could think of no words to describe what had taken place.  “Sir, I don’t – I don’t know how to tell this story.”   “Well, you got to Joe.”, Col. Moore responded… “You tell them how my troopers died.”  Joe nodded. “Yes sir.”    

   I am in that place.  I don’t know how to tell this story, but I have to.  Until the Lord takes me home and I can touch His beautiful face and nail scarred hands, I live to tell the story; the story of forgiveness from a risen Savior.  “Forgiven” is my favorite word.  I revel in its totality, bathe in its meaning, and am overwhelmed by its Giver.     

 These are words to “The Stand”, a song by Hillsong United, and my hearts cry: “You stood before my failure, carried the Cross for my shame.  My sin weighed upon your Shoulders, my soul now to stand.  So what can I say, what can I do, but offer this heart O God, completely to You!  So I’ll walk upon Salvation Your Spirit alive in me. This life to declare Your promise, my soul now to stand. So I’ll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One Who gave it all.   So I’ll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered.  All I have is Yours.”      

Happy Resurrection Sunday my dear friends!!   Rejoice in knowing that His blood bought your freedom and He is Risen, AS HE SAID!!!