FIVE

It was five, yes count 'em, five years ago today that The Grandbaby made her official appearance into this world to change it forever for our family.  I remember so well the fear and joy of that particular day and all I asked for was safety for mama and baby and that the baby would be kind and love Jesus.  Really, that was it and seemed to cover it all.  I'm so grateful to the Lord for answering those prayers in the way we wanted.  Granted, no road of life is smooth all the time but the Lord has shown his provision in ways we could never have imagined.

The Grandbaby has grown so quickly.  Sure, she's skinny but tall.  She has a slight element of fear with a sense of adventure thrown in.  She loves to play but loves to snuggle also.  While she has been pretty picky in her food choices, she has begun to venture out and at least try new foods, liking some and not liking others.  In fact I hear that this morning she was told she could have anything she wanted for breakfast, even candy.  She replied, "I'll just have the usual."  Duh.  

She loves her mommy and her daddy (and thankfully all her other "people").  She loves her cats and her dolls.  The other day she remarked that she was the "Cat Mom" and she "speaks CAT".  When she sleeps over here and we do night prayers, she calls everybody's name, even the cats.  :)

I could say so much more but instead I will do a little current pictorial.  To see older photos, I am sure you can find in my archive posts on this particular day every year since she was born.  That at least gives you readers a choice to not have to scroll through TOO many photos.

The Grandbaby is blessed with a Grandaddy, a Nana, a Poppa, and a Neema who love her with great love....

She loves Science.

The Grandbaby loves to shop so part of her gift was a girls' shopping trip.  She's quite the fashion diva.

She loves playing with small things.  Those long fingers can manage those well.

The Grandbaby LOVES brownies so yes, her request for a birthday "cake" was a brownie cake and a rainbow cake.  

She also has great grands who think she surely helped the Lord hang the moon...

...and she has a loving supporting close family.  

She loves unicorns.

The blessing of The Grandbaby is much greater than I could ever say or show on paper.  It is with so much daily gratitude to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I find the joy of HER.

So Happy Birthday to the one who made us The Neema and The Poppa!  

"The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."   Psalm 126:3

HALLELUJAH! CHRIST AROSE!

Very early in the morning on the third day after Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb of Jesus.  They had plans to use spices and such on the dead as was the custom of the day.  They were a tad concerned about how they would move the heavy stone from the entrance.  Imagine their surprise when they found the stone rolled away and Jesus gone, leaving his grave clothes in the tomb.  And angel told them that Jesus was not there but had risen!  

After some commotion of notifying the disciples and such, it was realized that Jesus had risen, just as he said he would do!   One disciple, Thomas, wouldn't believe without seeing...said until he saw the nail prints and his pierced side,  he would not believe.   After Jesus was seen by Thomas, Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed  are they that have not seen, yet have believed."   He would be talking about me, you, and all those who believe by faith.  Yes!  I believe it ALL.

On a personal note to share, my parents, The Husband and I joined The Girl, The Son-in-Law, and The Grandbaby late yesterday in their back yard for a cookout.  It was a fun time with The Grandbaby hunting Easter eggs and a delicious meal of hot dogs and hamburgers.  I had noticed on the table was The Girl's carton of Resurrection Eggs.   For many years she has enjoyed sharing the story of her Jesus with others using those eggs near Easter time.  

After all had eaten, The Girl and The Grandbaby sat on the quilt with that carton of eggs.  The rest of us settled in our chairs to listen also.  I watched and listened as The Girl patiently directed and allowed The Grandbaby to open each egg when needed as The Girl shared the story of Jesus' death on the cross.  I was amazed at how many correct answers The Grandbaby knew to various questions.  

After the last white egg was opened and found empty, The Girl asked why it was empty.   The Grandbaby said that Jesus was not there because he had risen!  I listened as my girl told her little girl that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins and that included the sins of the two of them and that one day when Jesus speaks to her little heart she will come to him and be saved!

By this time, other than The Girl's and The Grandbaby's voices, all that could be heard were a few tearful sniffles in that back yard.   It was one of those moments you feel will be forever in your heart and mind.

In the yard sat two eighty-year-olds, two sixty-year-olds, two forty-year-olds, and one almost five year old.  This Jesus I have talked about all week loved us all and died for us so that all of us may believe on him--from eighty year olds down to that almost five year old and all of us in between, below, and above.  Salvation comes to us from the Lord by grace through faith, believing that Jesus came, died on the cross for all our sins, and rose again!  It's simply that simple.

Psalm 78:4, 6, 7:

"We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.  

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.."

So thanks be to Jesus who suffered and died for us and praise him that he arose on that third day and lives in my heart all these years later!  I love him so!  I hope that you know HIM and love HIM, too!

Hallelujah, Christ arose!  Let's rejoice!  It's Easter Sunday!

BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD!

Crucifixion day has passed.  Jesus has been placed in a new tomb.  I always wonder how people felt that day.  Did they whisper to themselves about the events?  Did they mourn the passing of the Jesus who was their friend and healer?   Was it a day of gossiping about the events?  Did they just treat the day like another day?   I always think of the lives changed by Jesus while he walked on earth--the ones I mentioned in earlier posts--the woman healed of her issue of blood, the lame man, the blind man, even Barabbas who now walked free.  I wonder if Barabbas made a change in his life or if he continued in sin.  I like to think he made a change.

Today I wanted us to reflect on the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  

Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem.  I learned in my study that it was in the fields outside of Bethlehem that many of the Passover sacrificial lambs were raised.   So it's fitting that the final Passover Lamb would be born in a stable in Bethlehem--Mary's Little Lamb. 

Moving back to Exodus, God's plan to redeem and save the Israelites in bondage was a lamb.  On the contrary, the symbol of Egypt was a coiled snake.   There's a big example there of the war between the good and the evil.

A lamb is one of the most gentle and meek animals on earth.  A lamb is defenseless, has no fangs or claws, cannot run or fight, and is not scary to anything.  A lamb is quite a picture of Jesus!  He was made only of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance--fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22, 23)

The lamb was to be set apart four days.  Jesus was crucified at the Passover and he entered Jerusalem four days prior.  Coincidence that the lamb was set apart four days and that Jesus entered Jerusalem four days prior to crucifixion?  Nah.

The Israelites were told to roast the whole lamb and eat it all.  We are to accept all of Jesus and the substance his Word and love provides will fill us and equip us for the battle of sin.  We can be filled and strengthened for days ahead that are good and the ones that are bad.  We will be equipped through eternity!   We need ALL of and Jesus is ALL we need.

I did think on eating the lamb with bitter herbs and thought of the correlation to the bitterness of bondage.  The bondage of sin is great and bitter.  We have to know that Christ is sweetness to our soul if sin be bitter to us.    Eating the lamb with loins girded, shoes on your feet, and staff in your hand represents to me always being ready to do the Lord's bidding and letting nothing hinder.

The blood was applied on the doorpost of each Israelite house so it was visible and when the angel came and saw the blood applied, it passed over that house.  It wouldn't have worked for them just to have a lamb outside, there would have been no blood involved.  Hebrews 9:22 says "...without shedding of blood there is no remission."    Salvation in our lives is the belief of the work of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  

Just as that Passover lamb in Egypt, Jesus is our special lamb, our sacrificial lamb, our slain lamb and our saving lamb.

Just as the Israelites did back in Egypt, let us bow our heads and hearts in worship!

Paul said it well in 1 Corinthians 5:7...

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.  For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us..."

Today, let us in our hearts "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world" and rejoice!

Sunday's coming!

Consider....

THE DARKNESS OF THE DAY

Good Friday.  The day we recognize as the day Jesus was crucified--an act and crucifixion that would change the world of all who trust and believe in Jesus.  As I study and type this post, I realize there are some who might say this is just a story and who could ever believe such?  Well, I will tell you that I could and I do!  I believe it ALL!

The Bible says that as soon as it was day, The Sanhedrin courts tried Jesus.  They were accusing him of declaring to be the Son of God and blasphemy.  Then he was led to Pilate and accused the same....perverting the nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying he is Christ the King.  When Pilate said he found no fault in Jesus but the chief priests, elders and the people were more fierce with their accusations stemming from Galilee until that time.  When Pilate heard Galilee, and decided that his opportunity to "pass the buck" had presented itself so Pilate sent Jesus to Herod.  Herod had heard of Jesus and was happy to see the man who was so popular. Herod questioned Jesus who answered nothing.  Three "trials".  What a court system!

Herod and his men of war mocked Jesus, put on him a gorgeous robe, and sent him back to Pilate.

Pilate said again that he found no fault in Jesus and that Herod also found no fault guilty of death.  He said he would chastise him and release him.  (Tradition at the Passover feast was for one prisoner to be released.)  The people were stirred up and said, "Away with this man, give us Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a murderer.)  Pilate again sought to release Jesus, but the people said, "Crucify him!  Crucify him!"   So Pilate released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to their will.

Jesus was whipped.

Jesus was clothed with purple and wore a crown of thorns on his head while being mocked, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

Jesus was smote on the head with a reed.

Jesus was spit upon and mocked. 

After this he was led out to be crucified.  Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross to Golgotha, a place of a skull.  There, Jesus was raised on the cross between two thieves.  One of those thieves found a belief in Jesus at that hour.  

Still on the cross, he was mocked.  Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

A sponge was filled with vinegar and gave him to drink.  The soldiers cast lots for his garments.

His mother, Mary, stood watching.  My heart breaks for Mary.  This man on the cross was the same baby in swaddling clothes that she held in the stable long ago.  He had a childhood.  She loved him.  He was her child, too.  Now he was on the cross, dying for your sins and for mine and the sins of the whole world.  A humble hero, that's MY Jesus!

And then, Jesus died. 

Scriptures say the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple rent in two.  Life changed that day.

The soldiers broke no bones of Jesus but pierced his side and out came blood and water. 

The body of Jesus was requested by Joseph of Arimathaea who took it to his tomb in a garden.  They wrapped him in linen clothes as was the tradition.  The chief priests and scribes approached Pilate and said that  the tomb needed security so a stone was rolled in the door.

But wait, a lot can happen in three days!

I know this post has been long but I have song lyrics I'd like to share that touched me and gave a real look at this day....so read on if you will and consider.  If you have a chance, google the song and hear it sang.  I can never hear it without humbleness, chills, and tears, but it speaks to me.  (Forgive my writing it like a story instead of lyrics.)

WATCH THE LAMB (sang by Ray Boltz)

Walking on the road to Jerusalem, the time had come to sacrifice again.  My two small sons, they walked beside me on the road.  The reason that they came was to watch the lamb.

"Daddy, Daddy, what will we see there?  There's so much that we don't understand.  So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham, then I said, "Dear children, watch the lamb.  There will be so many in Jerusalem today.  We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away."  And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham.  Then I said, "Dear Children, watch the lamb."

When we reached the city, I knew something must be wrong.  There were no joyful worshipers, no joyful worship songs.  I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men.  Then I heard the crowd cry out, "Crucify Him!"

We tried to leave the city but we could not get away.  Forced to play in this drama a part I did not wish to play.  "Why upon this day were men condemned to die?  Why were we standing here where they soon would pass by?"

I looked and said, "Even now they come."  The first one cried for mercy, the people gave him none.  The second one was violent, he was arrogant and loud.  I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd.  Then someone said, "there's Jesus".  I could scarce believe my eyes.  A man so badly beaten, he barely looked alive.  Blood poured from his body from thorns upon his brow.  Running down the cross, falling to the ground.

I watched him as he struggled, I watched him as he fell.  The cross came down upon his back.  The crowd began to yell.  In that moment I felt such agony.  In that moment I felt such loss.  Till a soldier grabbed my arm and said, "You!  Carry his cross."  At first I tried to resist him, then his hand reached for his sword.  So I knelt and took the cross from the Lord.  I placed it on my shoulder and started down the street.  The blood that he'd been shedding was running down my cheek.

They led us to Golgotha.  They drove nails in his feet and hands.  Yet upon the cross I heard him pray, "Father forgive them."  Oh never have I seen such love in any other eyes.  "Into thy hands I commit my spirit", he prayed and then he died.

I stood for what seemed like years.  I'd lost all sense of time until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine.  My children stood there weeping and I heard the oldest say, "Father, please forgive us.  The lamb ran away."

"Daddy, Daddy, what have we seen here?  There's so much that we don't understand."  So I took them in my arms, and we turned and faced the cross, then I said, "Dear Children, watch the Lamb."

********

And as the song says, I say to you, "On this day with your heart and soul, Watch the Lamb!"

ON THE EVE

According to Scripture, much happened on Crucifixion Day Eve.   There's so much in this, I encourage you to read it from the list I published on Saturday.  Something I always think about is how Jesus felt.  Did he experience sadness or anticipation?  Was he weary or scared of what was to come?  After all, at this time, Jesus was a human body just like you and me, walking on an earth that was full of sin.  A lot has probably changed during the time since then but sin remains and our world is in turmoil.  The remedy for this sin and turmoil is the same.  Jesus. 

Jesus gave his disciples instructions to prepare the upper room as he wished to celebrate Passover with them.  Just as he gave instruction to the disciples to get the donkey for his entry into Jerusalem, he gave instructions about the upper room.  Just as cooperation was perfect for acquiring the donkey, so was the cooperation of the preparation of the upper room.

Judas began his agreement to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.  Ah, Judas!  So many thoughts always in my mind and heart about Judas.  Greedy?  It would seem so.  Willing to sell out one who loved him and considered him a friend and disciple?  It would seem so.  The Gospel of John even says that "the devil had put in Judas' heart to betray Jesus".

Jesus and his disciples have communion together with unleavened bread and fruit of the vine.  It was at this event that Jesus spoke that one of the disciples there would betray him.  They had unleavened bread and fruit of the vine.  Jesus told the disciples to take the bread as it was his body and drink the fruit of the vine as it was his blood.  "This do in remembrance of me,"  he said.  I can never go through a communion service without a heart full of thanks as I remember what Jesus did for ME.  

Peter vows he will never leave Jesus but Jesus predicts that before the rooster crows, Peter will have denied him three times.  Ah, Peter!  Such a strong personality of a disciple was Peter.  He had good intentions that he would always stay by Jesus' side but he also was human, as we are.  A scripture that is embedded in my mind is one I've kept since I first heard or read it from Luke 22:31.  Jesus says to Peter, "...behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..."   I vow I will always serve Jesus, but oftentimes I fall short of what Jesus deserves from me.  I am humbled that Jesus has prayed for me, as he did for Peter, that my faith fail not.  Oh, for a faith that fails not!

After the communion and Passover celebration, Jesus takes maybe three disciples with him to the garden.  It's there that he prays "if it be thy will, Father, let this cup pass from me....but not my will but thine be done."  The human disciples fall asleep and are unable to retain a watch.  Again, much like me when I fall asleep on Jesus.  Guilty.  

I am uncertain of the prayer in John 17 and whether it was part of the prayer in the garden then but the chapter is one well worth your reading.  In it, Jesus prays for himself, he prays for his disciples, and he prays for all believers.  Praise Jesus!  I am counted in those believers.  What a blessing that Jesus intercedes for us!  I love the last two verses of this chapter and prayer for us:

"O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."   John 17:25, 26

The Scriptures say that after Jesus had prayed in the garden, he was betrayed by Judas with a kiss and arrested, bound, and taken away to trail.  One of the darkest days in time was coming....

Consider....