My sweet Sister

I have found myself the past few days reflecting on the 40 Days to Passover and Resurrection Sunday and the journey I was blessed to take with Peggy Wright.  I recall discussions about the joy of our daily readings, the acknowledgement of Christ working on and in us, the admissions that we were daily facing spiritual warfare and the sweet blessing of being prayer with a Sister in Christ.  We both struggled as we took this journey.  It was not always easy.  But it was always a blessing.

I was able to be real and honest with someone who did not judge me, but offered loved and godly advice. She prayed for me.  She stood by my side when I struggled. She lifted my hands when I could not lift them myself.  She prayed over my family as we struggled with illness and discord.  She got her clean hands dirty living life with me. 

When we were together, there was no thought about age or life experiences.  No thought about if we were on different legs of our race, or the difference in our spiritual discipline. 

There was only love, respect, and genuine care.  Our bond was being strengthened.  Our sisterhood was being reinforced. 

There are no words to explain what a blessing she has been to me.

Today she continues to speak words of truth and life over me and my family.  She prays for me and my family.  She thinks of me, often.  Even offering up ideas and suggestions to help me with things on my heart. 

She is wise.  She is lovely.  She is godly.  She is honest.  She is not without fault or sin.  But she is forgiven.  She is real.  She is Jesus to those around her.

She has inspired my heart to soar with Christ, taking His lead and running my marked race. 

May we all be women who love, inspire and speak life to others.

Day 38 of 40 days to Passover and Resurrection Weekend... His eyes

You have heard the stories of a Messiah since you were born.  At times in your early years you shrugged them off as simple stories passed down from your parents and grandparents.  Then, as you grew older and wiser, you began sharing the hope of your ancestors.  One day, one day, God will send Messiah.

One day you begin hearing stories of this man who heals the sick, casts out demons and forgives sin.  The word on the street is that he may be the Messiah, but you just aren’t sure.  Something hopeful in your heart wants it to be true, but reality sinks in and you begin to doubt.

The stories about this man continue to spread.  More and more people begin to believe he truly is the Messiah.  Your hope begins to grow as well.  Maybe.  Just, maybe.

As you prepare for Passover with your family you hear of the uproar caused by this man.  You enter the streets and see a mixture of emotions.  Some crying “Crucify!”  Others crying bitter tears as they watch this beloved man suffer.

The hope in your heart is almost unbearable now.  Could this truly be the Messiah?  There has never been such a fuss made over any man before.

Then, as he carries the cross on His back through the streets, blood pouring from his body, it happens.  That one moment that defines who you are.  He looks at you.  Straight at you and no one else.  You feel as if the entire world has disappeared and you are alone with this beaten and bruised man.  He is looking at you.  His eyes.  His eyes penetrate your soul and you know, in an instant, HE is in fact the Messiah.

You take a step back to process things.  You go back to your home where it is safe and recount all of the stories and prophecies you have been told of the coming Messiah.  You cry.  You pray. 

Then, it’s over.  He is gone.  The man you knew in your heart to be the Messiah is dead.

This crushing blow causes your faith to shake at it’s core. You believed.  He made you believe.  He looked deep in your soul and revealed Himself to you. 

Sleepless nights pass.  You can’t get this look of His face out of your mind.  You can’t stop crying over the loss of the hope that had grown deep inside.  The heartbreak is more than you can take.  You ask the tough questions and meditate on the prophecies.  You must find the answers.

Then, you hear rumors.  Rumors of an empty tomb.  The hope inside you that died on the cross with that man from Nazareth begins to burn.  But you need proof.   So you leave.  You go to the tomb where they laid Him. 

As you arrive the tomb is surrounded by guards.  All of them talking about how a stone so large could have been rolled away.  They all speculated on the disappearance of the body.  Could it be?

You walk closer, hoping for a glimpse.  An answer.

You step in and see the tomb is empty.  But still, no answers.  So you head back home, confused, but hopeful.

You cross paths with a man who is taking up space on your side of the road.  In frustration you look up to tell this man to share the road, but the words won’t come out.  His eyes.  His eyes.  The man smiles and walks on.  You stop, frozen.  His eyes. 

You run back to the streets and begin sharing your story.  Your doubts, questions, fears and the answer.  Jesus IS the Messiah, and HE has risen, just as He said He would.  Just as the prophecies of old said.  The stories handed down from your ancestors are true and, through Christ, are now fulfilled. 

Death has lost it’s victory and the grave has been denied!

Have you lost the excitement that used to flood your body when you thought about the resurrection?  Have you lost sight of the victory Jesus has over death and the grave?  Have you heard the stories so many times they have lost their power? 

Go ask a young child to tell you the story.  Listen intently to the details they give, and the hope in their heart.  Renew your childlike faith. 

Oh I pray this season is different. I pray the Lord renews the awe and wonder of His resurrection. 

 

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here, He has risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:5-7

“Do not be alarmed,” he said.  “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen? He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.”  Mark 16:6

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He has risen!”  Luke 24:5

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!” John 20:18

He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.   You are witnesses of these things.”  Luke 24:46-48

Day 34 of 40 Days to Passover and Resurrection Weekend - our Savior's heart (John 16-18)

We read several times in the gospels of Jesus going off to himself to pray. He must take time away from his disciples, alone in the presence of His Father.  He knows this time will renew His spirit and his flesh.

In John 17 we see the heart of Christ.  He tells the disciples at the end of chapter 16 that they will be attacked, mistreated and abused by the world, but to take heart because he has overcome the world.  He then begins to pray with His disciples.

First, knowing exactly what He is facing, He prays that God will glorify Him in the upcoming days.  He knows that as the Heavenly Father glorifies Christ, that God will also be glorified. 

Second, He prays for His disciples.  The men that have walked alongside of Him for three years.  The men that have seen Him heal the sick and wounded, raise the dead, preach and teach the scriptures, love on sinners, and encourage the discouraged.  They have eaten meals with this man, slept next to Him, laughed with Him and cried with Him.  Jesus loves these men. And they love Jesus.  So He prays for them. 

Third, He prays for all of those who will believe after His death and resurrection.  For all of those in generations to come that will hear the gospel message and believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.  Those who believe without witnessing what the disciples witnessed.  He prayed for you and me.

What did He pray?  That we would have an easy life and everyone would immediately believe the gospel message as soon as they heard it?  That there would be no wars or fighting for all mankind?  That life would be a bed of roses and no one would ever suffer? 

Quite the contrary!

When Jesus prayed for us, He asked our Heavenly Father to dwell in us, just as He was with Christ.  He asked God to bring unity among believers, that we will stand together for a common a cause, to tell others about Christ.  He asked God to use us to show the world His glory. 

Oh, let that soak in for a moment.

He prayed for US, those who had not yet believed because we were not yet born.

He prayed for US, that we would not be alone on this earth.

He prayed for US, that we would live in unit with all believers.

He prayed for US, that we would be used by the Father to reveal His glory to the world.

This, dear friends, is one of the last things Jesus did before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane to begin the end of his life on earth.

Why?

Because He loves US.

So as we near the end of this journey together, as we see the events unfold before our eyes, as we look to scripture, sing worships songs, attend Easter services and musicals, and celebrate with family and friends, remember the reason for it all.

For God to be glorified in Christ, because He loves US.

Day 30 of 40 Days to Passover and Resurrection Weekend: Sweet treats, sweet memories, and a sweet Savior

 

One of my absolute favorite things in life is baking with my girls.  We bake cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, breads… you name it.  We pick our treat, don our aprons, and get messy…. I mean busy.

Tonight as we act silly and have fun measuring out ingredients we also reflect on the sacrifice and salvation of Christ. The girls take turns adding ingredients and reading scriptures.  We talk about how badly Jesus was beating and ridiculed by the soldiers, how he was given vinegar to drink when he was thirsty, how his death brought life to His children, the salty tears cried by the women who loved Jesus, the sweetness of his love for us, and the blood of the lamb that washes our sins away and makes us white as snow.

 

The discussion is light and fun.

 

 

 

Memories are being made.

 

 

After the cookies are in the oven and the door taped shut, the girls head to bed.  We sit and talk about the cookies.  We reflect on the ingredients and the significance of each. 

 

As I kiss the girls good-night I ask them to think about what they think the cookies will look like in the morning.   I will do the same as I lay my head down to sleep tonight.

 

GOOD MORNING!!

It’s time to check the cookies!

 The girls removed the tape from the oven doors in excitement.  They wanted to see what had happened to the cookies overnight.  They didn’t look a lot different than the night before. So, Maddie, in her curiosity, poked the top of a cookie and crushed it.  Then Emma noticed holes in the tops of other cookies.   I cut one open and they both discovered the cookies were hollow, empty.   Then, before I had a chance to ask them about the empty cookies Emma smiled and said, “ahhhh, just like the empty tomb!” 

 

 

YES!  That’s it! 

The final symbolism is the empty cookie representing the empty tomb!  

The power of death could not hold our Jesus!  He has risen! 

As we get closer to Passover I am reminded of the importance the Israelites placed on passing stories down to their children and grandchildren.  As we pass on stories about Jesus, we can also make memories our children and grandchildren will pass on to future generations.  These cookies are easy to and fun to make.  If you don’t have children in your home, make them with your grandchildren.  No grandchildren around?  Borrow someone else’s children!  The memories will be just as special for you!  To make it easier, here's the recipe!!!!

 

Resurrection Cookie Recipe

Supplies:
1 cup almonds (or pecans)
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Zipper baggy
Wooden spoon
Mixing bowl
Mixer
Cookie sheet
Spoons
Tape
Bible


1) PREHEAT OVEN TO 300 DEGREES. Place one cup nuts into a baggy. Beat the nuts with a wooden spoon until broken into tiny pieces. Remind children Jesus was beaten by the Roman Soldiers.

 Read John 19:1-3
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.



Read Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.







2) Allow each child to smell the vinegar. Pour a small amount into a bowl and allow them to taste it. Explain that vinegar was given to Jesus to drink when he was on the cross. Add 1 tsp. vinegar into a mixing bowl.



Read John 19:28-30
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.







3) Add egg whites to vinegar. The eggs in this recipe represent life. They remind us that Jesus gave his life to give us life abundantly.







Read John 10:10-11
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.







4) Put a pinch of salt in your child’s hand. Allow them to taste it. Add a pinch of salt to the eggs and vinegar. The salt represents the salty tears cried by the women who followed Jesus.



Read Luke 23:27
27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.





5) Place a pinch of sugar in your child’s hand. Allow them to taste it. Add one cup sugar to the mixture. Up to this point, the ingredients have been very bitter, but the sweetness in the recipe comes from the sugar. The suffering and death of Jesus are bitter, but the sweetness is that Jesus died because He loves us. Oh, how He loves us!



Read Psalm 34:8
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.



Read John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.







6) Beat the mixture for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed (I recommend setting a timer — it’s important to beat the mixture well). The whiteness of the mixture reminds us of purity and the cleansing of our sins because of Jesus’ death.



Read Isaiah 1:18
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.







7) Stir in the nuts.







8) Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. The mounds represent the tomb where Jesus was buried.



Read Matthew 27:57-60
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.




9) After the oven is preheated, put the cookie sheets in the oven. TURN OFF the oven. Allow your child to place pieces of tape and “seal” the oven door. Jesus’ tomb was sealed with a large rock.



Reread Matthew 27:59



59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.







10) Leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Your child might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight (they were probably expecting to have a yummy treat soon – at least mine were). Jesus’ followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed.







Read John 16:20-22
20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.







11) In the morning, open the oven and have some cookies! The cookies should be hollow inside. Remind your child that the tomb was empty. Jesus is risen!



Read Matthew 28:1-9
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

 

 

 

 

Day 27 of 40 Days to Passover and Resurrection Weekend... The Festival of Unleavened Bread

The entire concept of leaven and the very specific meaning it holds in regards to Passover is incredible.  Hang with me for a moment while I try to place our dots on the page, then connect them.

·         According to Mirriam-Webster, leaven is a substance (such as yeast baking soda and baking powder) that makes dough rise and become light before it is baked. 1

 

·         Leaven could not be offered in sacrifices or offering to the Lord.  Though scripture does not state why specifically, it is believed that leaven spoils and corrupts the bread it is mixed with, making it unsuitable for God. 2

·        The Passover: God gave specific instructions to the Israelites through Moses regarding the meal they were to eat the night of Passover.  As part of the meal, they were instructed to eat unleavened bread. 

 Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire,
with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they
shall eat it.  Exodus 12:8

And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”  So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. Exodus 12:33-34

And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. Exodus 2:39
 

·         The Festival of Unleavened Bread:  Each year after the Exodus, the week leading up to the Passover, each family is to commemorate the Exodus by eating unleavened bread for 7 days.  The first day of the Festival they were to remove leaven from their houses. 

So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.  Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses.  For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.  Exodus 12:14-15

 

·         Leaven is used as a symbol for sin in the New Testament. Paul writes to the church in Corinth regarding sin that has spread through the church and has been overlooked or ignored.  He uses leaven as a symbol of “malice and wickedness” and advises the church that they must remove the sin or it will continue to spread and further corrupt the church.

      

Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the
leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity
 and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Time to connect the dots…

Our Jewish heritage through Christ points us back to the Exodus and Israel’s salvation from Egypt.  They were commanded not to leaven their bread the night of Passover.  Though scripture does not specify why, we see that leavened bread was not allowed in sacrifices and offerings to the Lord.  It may also have been because the Lord knew the leaven would not have enough time to rise in the bread before the Israelites had to make their hasty flea from Egypt.  Both ideas serve to point to the purity of God and his expected obedience from His children.

While you may not choose to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in your home
by removing all leaven, you can do some symbolic removal of other things in your house.  Maybe clean out a drawer, closet or room.  Allow those items you throw away to represent sin in your life.  Throw them away and do not allow them a place back in your home, or heart.  If you want something that provides a more physical reminder, remove chocolate, soft drinks, sugar or bread from your diet for seven days.  When you are tempted to indulge in those items, reflect on the Exodus.

If you decide not to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in your home, you can celebrate it in your heart.  Paul was clear of the implication of a little sin in the life of the church.  A little spreads and eventually corrupts the entire body, individually and the church. 

So, in preparation of Passover and Resurrection weekend, spend some time focused on the purity of God and His desire to forgive and remove the sin in your life.  Ask God to search your heart reveal your sins to you.  It won’t be easy.  It will likely be painful.  Regardless, face it head on.  The Israelite’s Exodus was not easy.  However, God was faithful to His children then, and He will be faithful to His children today.   Allow Him to speak to your heart about things you need to remove from your life.  Then allow Him to give you the strength and wisdom to remove those things. 

Remember, the Israelites did not free themselves from Pharoah, GOD freed them.  You cannot remove your sin from your own life, GOD must do it for you.  But, He won’t do it unless you ask. 

 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;      And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting  Psalm 139: 23-24

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9  

 1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leaven

2. http://jewishroots.net/library/holiday-articles/lessons_from_leaven.html