If you ask a child, "What do you think of when you hear 'Easter?'" the answer will most likely consist of the easter bunny, easter eggs, candy, and presents. Why is this their answer? Because Easter has become like most holidays: a time for businesses to thrive, kids to get hyped up on chocolate, and the true meaning of a holy day(Holy day. Holiday. Get it?) goes down the drain.
Sure. I like the Reese's Cups shaped like eggs. But I can get chocolate anytime of the year. Should this be what we look forward to at Easter? No. The Easter egg hunts? No. New movies about bunnies and chicks which hide the true meaning of Easter? No.
It is a time to celebrate the day that Christ rose from the dead giving life to everyone that believes on His name! Now that sounds like a reason to celebrate.
Today is Good Friday, a day in which we remember the day Jesus died and shed His blood on the cross. On this Good Friday as children around the world sing about Earth, I choose to sing about my King who died to bring me life!
And as Easter becomes more commercialized, it is time for Christians to rise up and not just tell the world, but also show the world what Easter is really about. Jesus Christ rose from the dead, breaking the chains of death and giving us the power to life!
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."-Romans 6:4
Have a blessed Easter full of the hope of Christ!
"There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand"
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Favorite Book
Day 3.
My favorite of favorite books is the Bible. No question about it.
But as far as fictional books go, I will choose The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven novels by C.S. Lewis. Lewis was a brilliant man, being a novelist, essayist, theologian, and Christian apologist. He was a great defender of the Faith and wrote many books such as Mere Christianity that still convict skeptics of their unbelief. He also had a way of making universal profound truths applicable to our daily lives.
The Chronicles of Narnia can be seen as an analogy of the Christian message. An article was written by Robert and Linda Banks for C.S. Lewis Today paralleling the two.
Key ideas in The Magician's Nephew: "Creation and Kingdom—Aslan creates a new world—sky, stars, flora and fauna, heavens and earth, and fills it with talking creatures. He does this through his word by singing it into being. With the first hint of rebellion against his authority beginning to arise, he appoints a man and a woman as its first rulers to look after and care for the land and its inhabitants."
Key ideas in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: "Fall and Redemption—Sin has spread over the whole land, which is under the power of evil, and judgement lies heavy upon it. In order to break their grip, Aslan fulfils the demands of the ancient Law by willingly sacrificing himself in another's place, but is miraculously brought back to life. He forgives and frees others and re-establishes humans as rulers over the land."
Key ideas in The Horse and His Boy: "Promise and Fulfilment. Despite the devious plans of evil people to thwart Aslan's prophetic purposes, mysteriously and providentially he arranges circumstances, draws strangers together, and directs their steps so that the promise can be fulfilled. He also secretly accompanies, strengthens and protects them, before finally revealing himself to them in person and making known to one of them his royal identity."
Key ideas in Prince Caspian: "Apostasy and Restoration. Over time the nation has forgotten and wandered away from its true roots, and those who have assumed power actively suppress knowledge of that truth. Despite this, the truth is passed on courageously by some faithful ordinary people, who come together to fight against Aslan's enemies until his authority over the land, and its rightful human ruler, are restored."
Key ideas in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: "Conversion and Mission. With the nation at peace, the focus now is on fulfilling an obligation to Aslan to engage in a rescue mission to the ends of the known world. Early into the journey, one of the members undergoes an extreme conversion experience at the hands of Aslan. In the process of fulfilling their task, by word and signs, Aslan teaches different lessons to various members of the team."
Key ideas in The Silver Chair: "Vocation and Faithfulness. An unlikely threesome is called by Aslan out of their familiar surroundings with a special commission, potentially at the cost of their lives. He empowers them through his spirit and instructs them with his word so that they can achieve his purposes. Only through constant and discerning obedience in the face of almost insurmountable evil are they able to smash its strongholds and free its victims."
Key ideas in The Last Battle: "End-of-the-World and Heaven. A long time has passed since Aslan's last appearance and, with imposters scheming to deceive even the faithful, there are growing rumours that he has already returned. This leads to a series of struggles between the forces of good and evil, ending in a final victorious confrontation. As Aslan draws time and space to a close, only those who love him are taken into his glorious country and those who deny him fall away into darkness."
The Chronicles of Narnia is an amazing series of books and if you haven't read them, I encourage you to do just that.
My favorite of favorite books is the Bible. No question about it.
But as far as fictional books go, I will choose The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven novels by C.S. Lewis. Lewis was a brilliant man, being a novelist, essayist, theologian, and Christian apologist. He was a great defender of the Faith and wrote many books such as Mere Christianity that still convict skeptics of their unbelief. He also had a way of making universal profound truths applicable to our daily lives.
The Chronicles of Narnia can be seen as an analogy of the Christian message. An article was written by Robert and Linda Banks for C.S. Lewis Today paralleling the two.
Key ideas in The Magician's Nephew: "Creation and Kingdom—Aslan creates a new world—sky, stars, flora and fauna, heavens and earth, and fills it with talking creatures. He does this through his word by singing it into being. With the first hint of rebellion against his authority beginning to arise, he appoints a man and a woman as its first rulers to look after and care for the land and its inhabitants."
Key ideas in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: "Fall and Redemption—Sin has spread over the whole land, which is under the power of evil, and judgement lies heavy upon it. In order to break their grip, Aslan fulfils the demands of the ancient Law by willingly sacrificing himself in another's place, but is miraculously brought back to life. He forgives and frees others and re-establishes humans as rulers over the land."
Key ideas in The Horse and His Boy: "Promise and Fulfilment. Despite the devious plans of evil people to thwart Aslan's prophetic purposes, mysteriously and providentially he arranges circumstances, draws strangers together, and directs their steps so that the promise can be fulfilled. He also secretly accompanies, strengthens and protects them, before finally revealing himself to them in person and making known to one of them his royal identity."
Key ideas in Prince Caspian: "Apostasy and Restoration. Over time the nation has forgotten and wandered away from its true roots, and those who have assumed power actively suppress knowledge of that truth. Despite this, the truth is passed on courageously by some faithful ordinary people, who come together to fight against Aslan's enemies until his authority over the land, and its rightful human ruler, are restored."
Key ideas in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: "Conversion and Mission. With the nation at peace, the focus now is on fulfilling an obligation to Aslan to engage in a rescue mission to the ends of the known world. Early into the journey, one of the members undergoes an extreme conversion experience at the hands of Aslan. In the process of fulfilling their task, by word and signs, Aslan teaches different lessons to various members of the team."
Key ideas in The Silver Chair: "Vocation and Faithfulness. An unlikely threesome is called by Aslan out of their familiar surroundings with a special commission, potentially at the cost of their lives. He empowers them through his spirit and instructs them with his word so that they can achieve his purposes. Only through constant and discerning obedience in the face of almost insurmountable evil are they able to smash its strongholds and free its victims."
Key ideas in The Last Battle: "End-of-the-World and Heaven. A long time has passed since Aslan's last appearance and, with imposters scheming to deceive even the faithful, there are growing rumours that he has already returned. This leads to a series of struggles between the forces of good and evil, ending in a final victorious confrontation. As Aslan draws time and space to a close, only those who love him are taken into his glorious country and those who deny him fall away into darkness."
The Chronicles of Narnia is an amazing series of books and if you haven't read them, I encourage you to do just that.
Monday, March 28, 2011
A Favorite Movie
A while back I started a 30 day challenge...and I only did one day. Fail.
But I thought that I would pick it back up and see where it goes.
So, day 2. A favorite movie?
There are too many to pick from. But I will choose Finding Nemo. I love Pixar movies! And who doesn't like a story about a dad that travels across the ocean in search for his lost son? It is heart-warming, humorous, quotable, and has a good moral. And it's fish!
"I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my Squishy."
"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..."
"Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. My bubbles."
Monday, March 21, 2011
It's in the Air
Flowers, flip-flops, birds, shorts, cumulus clouds, pony tails, shed the jackets, warm sunshine, water bottles, blooming trees...
Hello, Spring. Welcome back.
Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire.- Virgil
Friday, February 18, 2011
Choices, choices.
Life is filled with choices. The simple, everyday choices: Eat a bowl of cereal or grab a granola bar? Wear the blue shirt or the green? ect. ect. Then there are the biggies: Where will I go to college? What career will I pursue? Do I buy this house? That car? And the list goes on...
We want to scream, cry, run around and pull our hair out. TOO MUCH STRESS!!
Yeah, we all get like that sometimes. Lately, I have had to make many decisions. It's getting close to high school graduation and every where I go people ask me, "What are you going to study in college?" (I kinda feel bad for asking so many people this question because now I know: that question gets annoying.) Anyway, everything recently has been having to choose between this and that. What do I do? Will someone please give me an answer?!
I have learned through my decision-making experience that the best place to find answers is on my knees. Who better to ask for answers than the One who holds all answers to all questions? "Seek and you shall find." Seek Him out. Seek His will for your life. He will answer you in HIS time. You may not receive an answer immediately but be patient. I know that is hard seeing as we are human. But the answer WILL come. Just seek Him.
We want to scream, cry, run around and pull our hair out. TOO MUCH STRESS!!
Yeah, we all get like that sometimes. Lately, I have had to make many decisions. It's getting close to high school graduation and every where I go people ask me, "What are you going to study in college?" (I kinda feel bad for asking so many people this question because now I know: that question gets annoying.) Anyway, everything recently has been having to choose between this and that. What do I do? Will someone please give me an answer?!
I have learned through my decision-making experience that the best place to find answers is on my knees. Who better to ask for answers than the One who holds all answers to all questions? "Seek and you shall find." Seek Him out. Seek His will for your life. He will answer you in HIS time. You may not receive an answer immediately but be patient. I know that is hard seeing as we are human. But the answer WILL come. Just seek Him.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
On this Valentine's Day, a day in which we celebrate love, think about what love truly is:
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8[a] Love never ends.
-1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8[a] Love never ends.
-1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival
So I am extremely excited because today is Friday which means tomorrow is Saturday! Why am I so excited about this Saturday, you might ask. Because my family and I are traveling to Mobile, Alabama for Revival! The following is what the revival is and how it started:
Church of His Presence in Daphne, Alabama hosted “Open the Heavens Conference 2010.” On the last night, July 23rd, British Evangelist, Nathan Morris, was ministering as God’s Presence was ushered in. Notable healings took place and children began to be touched by the power of God. Pastor John Kilpatrick, former pastor and overseer of the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, FL, stated it felt like Father’s Day 1995 when that historic revival began.
A spontaneous decision was made to extend the meetings at the Daphne Civic Center to see what God would do. Nathan and Shake the Nations team cancelled their flights to Hawaii scheduled for that weekend. Since then, attendance has grown as people have traveled from across America and other countries. To accommodate the crowds and meet regularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the revival meetings were moved to the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, AL.
This move of God has been called the Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival. Historically, Mobile Bay was named on early Spanish maps Bahía del Espíritu Santo, (Bay of The Holy Spirit). In 2008 a memorial historical sign commemorating the name Bay of the Holy Spirit was approved by the Alabama Historical Association and a Commendation was signed by Governor Bob Riley.
Since that miraculous night of July 23rd, hundreds have given their lives to Christ and been delivered by the power of God. Extraordinary miracles and healings are continuing each night. The lame walk, the blind see, deaf ears open and diverse terminal illnesses healed.
You can watch services live each night. Friday services at 7 P.M. Saturday services at 5 P.M. If you can get to Mobile, go! In the month of February they will be traveling to Texas and New Jersey.
To see testimonies of amazing healing and for more info go to: www.bayrevival.org
This revival has changed my life. It just might change yours.
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