Easter

“He is not here. He has risen!” Luke 24:6

As a child, growing up in a Mennonite Church, the pastor greeted the congregation, in Russian, with the words, “He is risen!” and there were enough Russian Mennonite grandmas and grandpas there to reply in the same language, “He is risen indeed!” Then it was a time to celebrate with a number of hymns that speak of our risen Savior! Words that I still know off by heart when reminded, bring back echoes of men and women singing their hearts out in four part harmony. My favorite was, Up from the Grave He arose!
Girls, in their prettiest dresses, and boys, thinking about the lunch that was waiting, sat in the pews, giddy with excitement about the events planned for the day.
Oh, why do I suddenly feel older? I’m not saying it was better than today. It just dawned on me that some things have changed. The past is a part of me, it has shaped me, just as I continue to be shaped even today by the choices I make. I wonder, what will my children and grandchildren think of when they ‘remember’ one day? May we never forget the significance of this day and may each generation continue to lift their voices in praise of a Risen Savior. May what’s important, never change.

God sent his son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon;
An empty grave is there to prove
my Savior lives.

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow
Because he lives, All fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days
because he lives.

And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory
and I'll know he reigns.

Bill Gaither And The Gaither Vocal Band Lyrics

On A Hill Far Away

Jesus left the city and went to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his followers went with him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray for strength against temptation.”
Then Jesus went about a stone’s throw away from them. He kneeled down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him to strengthen him. Being full of pain, Jesus prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 22: 39-44

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals one on the right and one on the left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ: Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him, “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 32-34, 39-43

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” Luke 23: 44-47

The Apple Tree

My grown up boy just dropped by to check up on our back yard makeover. I watched him as he picked up a gnarled trunk of a small tree that we’d just uprooted. It was just an old, almost 20 year old apple tree that was diseased, dwarfed and never really produced any good apples. That’s one way of putting it.
But . . . ( big sigh) a time where I’m reminded once more that there is a season for everything. I remember a day when he came home from school with a container in which he had planted, he told us, an apple tree. It was probably about second grade. The students had most likely learned about planting seeds and trees growing from seeds, so he had taken the seeds from his lunch apple and planted them, full of hope and big expectations. He didn’t know that in reality nothing would be happening. To his delight and our surprise, one day something green came up and sure enough it grew. Eventually we planted it in the back yard. It grew slowly, but it was an apple tree nonetheless, bearing its first fruit just a few years ago.
The tree was small, as were the apples, but the memory attached to it always gave me a special feeling. A reminder of a young boy full of hope and that miracles do happen, even against all odds. So, today in my heart, I lift a prayer of thanks to the God Who cared to bring delight to a child who has now grown into a man with big expectations of a big God.

Sunday Night Date

It was announced at the game that Vancouver Canucks fans are the most loyal fans in the whole NHL! I was wondering if we could be included in that assessment, as we listened to the final 5 minutes while driving away in our car. The game was near over and Colorado was winning 4 - 0, so had we decided to beat the other 18000 fans in the rush to get home. Apparently others had followed suit, as the radio announcer continued to ramble and note that the up side was that the players would be able to make a quick get-a-way at the end.

But not all was lost! The company was good and the food was good. As we sat down in our seats with our tiny cardboard trays, I mentally calculated the number of fruit and vegetables I'd had earlier in the day. Five servings, borderline, but good to go. I sat back and enjoyed my Whitespot original burger and thick slices of fries. I noted that the skin was even left on the potatoes. After a while, my date realized that I was cold and got up to stand in line to get me a coffee and churro. Yes, these were the good parts of the game.

Oh, and another point I should mention is that the Canucks have earned themselves a spot in the playoffs so, as the season comes to an end, we will still be able to enjoy the best part at home.

What Defines Me?

Max Lucado, in Come Thirsty reminds us of the story of Mephibosheth. I would think that his name alone would define him but, no, he was called a cripple, because he was dropped as a child and forever crippled.
Lucado writes, ”Acquainted with its street? If you’ve been dropped, you are. Dropped from the list, dropped by a guy, dropped by the team, dropped off at an orphanage . . . people don’t remember your name, but they remember your pain.”
As the story goes, David (the king) wants to show mercy to someone of the house of Saul and finds out that Mephibosheth is the only living relative. Lucado describes what happens, as something “Cinderella-like." Mephibosheth gets invited to live with the king and eat at his table, like one of David’s own sons!

If I would only remember that this is what has happened to me! I have been invited to feast at the King’s table. I need no longer be what I or others label me as . . . whatever it is that connects me to some bad decision or misfortune. God has seated me with Him in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 2:6) He can turn whatever misfortune labels me into something good and in turn, that is what defines me. The woman who struggled with self esteem because of an accent, can use her empathy to help others who are learning the language or that are new to a group. If I’d never felt “different” from others, rejected, judged or learned how hard it can be to please others . . . I would not be able to understand those who have those kind of feelings. But God, by His grace, is teaching me that He can use everything in my life for something good. The wonderful news is that God loves me how I am and I don’t need to earn His favor. When I give my weakness or misfortune to Him, He can turn it into something beautiful! That is what I wish to define me.
I think it would look like someone defined by grace. . . because she knows she's loved.

Now, I may even enjoy wallowing in my self pity. I may want to have an excuse to keep me from moving on. This is where my choice will determine what defines me. I may be afraid to trust God to make something beautiful, but the truth is, that if I accept His invitation, if I come to Him . . . He’s the One who can turn ashes into beauty.

Happy Birthday Natalie!

You came in the morning of April 1st, 2006! What a fun surprise it was that you were a girl when your Mommy and Daddy had been led to believe otherwise! We were so happy!!!!

It wasn't long before you knew who we were and you decided to call us Papa and Mimi!

You are Papa's very special little girl and so often remind him of the little girl we used to have.

You definitely know what you want, and we pray that you will always desire to listen to Jesus and give Him joy.

Did you know that three is my favorite age? I love that you are three years old now! We can talk on the phone, we can read books together, we can sing, bake, have tea parties and play hide and seek.

What a beautiful girl you are! The other day you said that Papa and Mimi live far away. Then you said, "I can fix that! I can get an airplane!" Well, we will have to do just that. Soon we will get on that plane and see you, okay? Hope you have a very happy and special day, Sweetpea!

Love, hugs and kisses, Papa and Mimi