The Day In-Between

Yesterday was Good Friday.  The day Jesus was sent to the cross to die then laid in a tomb.

Tomorrow is Easter. The day Jesus came back.

Today is the day in-between.  The Sabbath. The day of rest.

Was is really restful for the diciples that were closest to Jesus?  A lot had just transpired in a day. Their world had went from miraculuous to miserable.

They had spent the last few years learning from this Jesus - the Christ - who could heal the sick, make the lame walk, restore eyesight, make the winds and waves peaceful again, cast out demons to restore sanity, feed thousands with one person's lunch, and treat everyone with respect while teaching them what God really meant in the scriptures.  He challenged their views, challenged their intentions, and challenged them all to be God's children not just law livers.  Jesus, - Emmanuel, God With Us - had shared what God was like as a Father not just the Creator of the Universe and Law to live by.

He gave them Hope.  And now He was gone.

Reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), I only know they "rested" on the Sabbath.  The action starts again on the next day at the empty tomb.  The thing that irritates me often about the Bible is its lack of emotional filler in times like these.  I want to know what the conversations were like: were they yelling at each other in desperation? Did they say any words at all?  Were they so exhausted they truly rested because they just slept it off? What about the women? Did they accuse the men in the room for not stepping in to save Jesus?  Did Simon Peter remind them of everything Jesus taught them while confessing he had denied knowing Jesus before the rooster crowed?  Did they all go silent when all they could do was watch from afar?

Did it feel like they were sitting in that room waiting for death like their ancestors during the first Passover night those centuries ago in Egypt? Paralyzed with fear and barely breathing? Or were they singing hymns?  DId they praise God on the day of Sabbath as they always did?  Were they angry at God?  Did their prayers change?

Did they still have hope?

It's different for us now.  We know the history. We know that "Sunday's Coming."  This day of in-between is a day of rest for most.  But days of rest in our time doesn't mean the same as it did then.  Do we take this time to really think how that day of in-between relates to us now?

Have you ever been in a situation where all hope seemed gone until in an unexpected moment in an unexpected way everything just changed for the better?

This day of rest, the -in-between, is just as important to the story of Easter as Jesus' death and ressurection. It's a day of choice for us.  Is our faith existent and active to wait on Him? Do you wait in childlike antcipation (like waiting for a trip to Disney), or do you wait in quiet desperation hoping that it all ends.  Do you choose to believe Jesus is who He said, or do you block all belief in a Messiah?

Going through all I have so far in my life, I know for certain the waiting with anticipation is a much better way than desperation.

Final note:  If you have never had a chance to be introduced to, or really get to know Jesus, I would be honored to be that connector for you.

A REAL Relationship

     So many pastors and preachers teach through great sermons every week.  This morning's teaching is no exception from my pastor, Michael.  He's been doing a series on being "Remade" through Christ.  Total TRUTH in that.  And part of the calling for any pastor is to talk about the gospel of Christ - and how to believe, how to accept Him, and how to live out the life we're all called to - and what separates us from God is sin apart from Jesus.  Makes sense, sin is not holy and God does not allow anything unclean in His presence.  Jesus, however, ate with sinners.  He touched them.  He loved them.  He died for them. He remade them.

     I wanted to share how this relationship with Jesus is REAL for me.  We shared at a recent Work-Life Networking lunch about how some look at God like a father figure.  That didn't work for me simply because my earth-bound father relationship was non-existent.  And for me to accept that God was real in my life, I couldn't allow myself to fall in the trap of seeing Him in my realm.  Enter in Jesus.  Big brother Jesus.  The one who adopted me into the family - regardless of ME - my sin and all - I am in the family.  So, even sin no longer separates me from God.  Let me share.

     Jesus adopted me in the family.  NOTHING can separate me from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).  I can come before Him with confidence knowing He will show me grace, not condemnation (Hebrews 4:16, Romans 8:1).  He uses even my own rebellious sin for good (Romans 8:28).  Now, the apostle Paul writes to the Romans about grace and asks the question, "Should we go on sinning?"  Knowing that God forgives, God loves, God works it ALL out for good.  Well, to be a recognizable follower of Jesus - we should choose what is good...to not sin...and pray for help from the Holy Spirit to see that through.  But what happens when we DO sin?  We all fall short.  Everyday.  Do you give up?  Throw blame on circumstances or people?

     For me...that's when I go back to that foundation of Jesus' love, acceptance, and grace for me.  I may not immediately stop the sin that is causing grief and guilt.  But He still loves me, because He just does.  And when I confront that sin, confidently before the throne of grace, I feel like the image in this post - arms wrapped around me in a love so big it's indescribable.  And I am truly alive, living out a REAL relationship with the God of the Universe who created me for a purpose, a Big Brother who has saved me and brought me into a HUGE eternal family, and the Holy Spirit who breathes new life into me daily. I can come to Him for ANYTHING - good or bad, big deals or small frustrations, attitude issues, joyful dances, hurts and hopes, my desires or devastations - He's always there for me.  He listens, He guides, He saves my sanity and my heart. If you don't have a relationship like that, I'd be happy to share!

What I've been missing lately...

My mind mostly! Come on - if you didn't laugh a little, or relate a lot, you are still in search of your own.



Since I've been "down" in my back lately, which is such a weird way to look at it since I can't actually bend down, I've realized I've been missing out on a lot. Here's some of what I've been missing:

• Satellite TV - used to have it at mom's....oh the joys of adulthood billing budget
• Being outside - with the rain and my back, not much work is getting done on opening the pool
• Old friends - just when I finally have time, I literally don't feel like going anywhere to see people. Thank God for facebook!
• Friends in general - being single, living alone out in "God's Country," I don't get visitors. And since I'm not really the "popular girl" I don't get calls or emails much either...oh well....
• Motivation - pain meds and muscle relaxers have a way of really making you feel lethargic
• Passion - same as above plus some uknown confusion in my life
• Self-confidence - that was low enough, but when you can't get off the couch without rolling off it, makes me feel like a sea cow in sludge
• Dreams of youth - everything I thought I would be doing, I failed at in life. I realize God's got a much better plan for me, but I am still reconciling that with my own lost dreams
• Ice cream - I'm REALLY trying to be good with what I'm eating, especially since I can't get exercise in, but I am seriously craving my favorite: Haagan Das' Bailey's Irish Cream Ice Cream, mmmmmmm
• And yes, I miss Bill - he's been working nights the past couple of weeks, AND he's been feeling sickly too, so we don't get to see each other every day.
• Church - I'm in limbo lately with church. With all that has transpired the past couple of years, I think I'm just burned-out with GCC, maybe with "church" in general. Don't get me wrong, I love the people - and miss all of them terribly. But I certainly DON'T MISS the political-ness of it. I DO miss serving and working in the church. But it's not worth the struggles if you don't work well with people. Guess I'm just not what some people want to be around, or considered to be "holy" enough to work, or they feel I'm not "called" to a certain work? Who knows. Who cares. Just miss it.

And there you have it. But anytime I feel like I'm missing something, I go to the one who fills the hole...Jesus. Only He can fill it, only He can complete me, only He can save me, only He can really love me the way I am. And He can fill your holes too.

Holy Humor

I JUST heard about this on the radio...Holy humor Sunday.

For centuries in Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant countries, the week following Easter Sunday, including "Bright Sunday" (the Sunday after Easter), was observed by the faithful as "days of joy and laughter" with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus' resurrection.

Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced.

The custom was rooted in the musings of early church theologians (like Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom) that God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead. "Risus paschalis - the Easter laugh," the early theologians called it.

In 1988 the Fellowship of Merry Christians began encouraging churches and prayer groups to resurrect Bright Sunday celebrations and call it "Holy Humor Sunday," with the theme: "Jesus is the LIFE of the party."

Many churches from different traditions responded enthusiastically. Holy Humor Sunday services are bringing back large crowds to churches on a Sunday when church attendance typically drops dramatically. If you Google “Holy Humor Sunday” on the Internet, you’ll be amazed at how widespread Holy Humor Sunday celebrations on the Sunday after Easter have become among churches of all traditions. It’s clearly a movement of the Holy Spirit to shore up belief in the resurrection of Jesus.

Pretty cool, huh?

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is when an Old Testament event mirrors the life of Jesus. For example, Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac on the mountain is a foreshadowing of God's sacrificing his own son for our sins. Well, this morning I learned a new one for me.

In Genesis you can read about Joseph - which is one of my favorites. Towards the end of the story, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and says, "You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you." (read the story here). They thought they were seeing a ghost after what they had done to him years ago! Fast-forward to Jesus' ressurection.

In Luke (24:36-49) it is recorded that after Jesus appeared to the two walking to Emmaus, He appeared to the disciples - out of nowhere! And he tells them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." They thought they were seeing a ghost!

Do you see it? Joseph reveals himself to his group of brothers - Jesus reveals himself to his group of disciple brothers. This was one of the coolest foreshadowings I've seen in awhile! It still amazes me how intertwined the Bible is!

Passed Over

No - this is not a posting about THE Passover - but more like I got passed over once again. Or maybe it'll turn out to be a Passover posting...hmmm....



Long & short of it - I interviewed for a promotion here at work - for a position that I had already been backing up for four years. I did not get the promotion - seems the person who got it would be "better for the NCAC." So - does that mean I'm not good enough. Of course it does - if I let Satan keep telling me that.



And this has not been the only thing I've been passed over for lately. Lots of church stuff, other job opportunities, social activities with "friends," etc. And the whole time I had to welcome in my competition - since I sit out front - I was obedient to God and prayed & fasted during the day. I prayed mostly for God's will to be done in my life concerning all things. And it's truly amazing the stuff He tells you when you are listening to Him.



It's not that I was "passed-over" but that I was PASSOVER'ed. The blood of Jesus covers me now - and those situations are not what God wants for me, so the death that could have occured had I not been covered in the blood would be so much worse than just feeling "passed over." He revealed to me that He doesn't want me to be a part of certain social circles ("cliques")...it's too narrow-minded and there's no outreach for Jesus. He doesn't want me to have that promotion because He knows He would lose my focus. I would be putting all my energy into doing that job and not spending precious time with Him. Even though I struggle with my current situations, I know He's right here with me. I know He has a plan for me - and I know I am in His will.



So if you ever feel like you've been "passed-over," consider a different perspective - that you've been Passover'ed because the blood of Jesus makes you a child of the Most High - and HE has everything under control.

Easter Passion

This post marks my 200th blog posting. Seems like a lot, but really it's not. There's so much to write about, so many messages to send, so many observations & experiences to pass along. But if I never got a chance to write another post - there's one thing I would have to post about...Jesus.

Last night we went to Southeast Christian Church's "Easter Passion." This production was more than your small-church Easter pageant...and for those that have seen it in previous years - you know what I'm talking about. This is all-out broadway excellence. This year they added video. And not done in a style you would think. The whole thing was completely UN-BE-LIEVE-ABLE!!! Unlike anything I've ever seen before. And there was not a dry eye in the place when we left. Anytime you are seeing Jesus, experiencing Jesus...it's better than a sermon any day.

This Passion starts as John the Baptist is preaching and baptizes Jesus, goes through Jesus' ministry, then his crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. That's cool stuff! Beyond cool - it touches you. This picture is from the temptation in the wilderness scene. That's Satan above Jesus' head. Throughout the production you see Satan trying to influence - Jesus in the wilderness, the Pharisees when hearing the blind man's testimony, provoking the mob to choose Barabas over Jesus... It's amazing to SEE Satan's influence - he of course is the ruler of this realm. He's also the father of lies. But anytime Satan came against Jesus - Jesus' focus was on His Father! No focus or attention was even given to Satan. But for the others that were influenced by Satan - no attention was given to God or even acknowledging Satan - they just did what they were influenced to do. It was amazing to witness it as an outside observer and then apply it to my own life.

I have a promotion interview today. I've been anxious about it all week. But, I've given that all over to God to work with. Whatever happens will be in His will. But I've looked at myself and seen where Satan has been pumping me since the opportunity came open. Shoot, Satan's been pumping me about a lot of things for years now. Holding me down, keep me captive instead of captivating. I've lost a lot at the hands of Satan. Every day is a battle to fight, but not alone. Jesus conquered death so we could have victory. So I encourage you readers, learn more about Jesus - stay close to Him. He died to pay the ransom for you (and me). He was the only one who could do it. Satan has you held captive. Whether it be from your own actions & consequences, or those that were influenced by Satan, or even thoughts of defeat and worthless Satan has planted in your head caused by someone else's actions; whether you know it or not, Satan has held you captive.

But the beautiful thing is - Jesus already paid the ransom years ago, all you have to do is accept that - and accept Him as your Lord that has saved you from hell. Repent & be baptized for your sins, accept Jesus as Lord & Savior (brother & friend), take up your cross daily (stay alert & involved with Jesus), love God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love others as yourself. God Bless You!