faith

Aww…some Monday

Last week we traveled about three hours north of home to visit my wife’s brother and family. It turned out that all three of her siblings were in town and we had a long visit. Time, distance, schedules, age, and health prevent us from seeing each other as often as we should. Aging teaches us life is short and time with family grows more precious with each passing year. During our visit we also got to see our grand-nieces play softball.

The trip to the athletic complex brought back memories of chasing our grand kids all over Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas when they were playing soccer, baseball, and competing in dance competitions. I managed to capture a couple of images for the parents.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week the theme at 4M is Whatever Music Moves You. I am moved by a variety of music, from 60’s pop/rock, 90’s country, blues, Southern gospel, and contemporary Christian. In light of recent international events, I believe it is time to turn our eyes toward heaven and seek the will, mercy and grace of the Creator. Scripture tells us these things are going to happen in preparation for the return of Christ. Whether He returns tomorrow or a thousand years from now, these things still must take place. God’s people can rejoice in the security of their salvation and lift prayers to the Father that many more will come to know Him before Christ returns and signals the end of days as we know them and the beginning of the promises of an eternal existence that is free of pain, suffering, tears, terror, anger, jealousy, and all of those things that make us humans a rebellious lot.

Thank you Father for your Son and the gift of eternal life. I would ask you to fill the leadership of the nations with wisdom and understanding. I would ask that they lean on your wisdom, guidance and direction in these difficult times. Amen.

Holy Week

The two greatest events in human history are known as Christmas and Easter. The Old Testament told that God would send a Savior to this world. He even told us that Messiah would come from Bethlehem. The Gospel of Luke provides us with the testimony of the birth of Christ. The Old Testament is also the source of information regarding the fate of the Messiah. Isaiah 53 gives a wealth of information regarding Christ including the facts that He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. All four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) give the details of Christ’s arrest, illegal trial, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day Christ entered Jerusalem for the last time, knowing what was about to take place. During the course of the week He would cleanse the temple, teach the people, have the Last Supper with the apostles, be arrested, put of trial, crucified, and rise from the grave. Christmas and Easter are locked together as one is meaningless without the other.

Sunday April 20, is resurrection Sunday. It is the time of celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and fulfillment of prophecy. Take time to celebrate this occasion in the church of your choice.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

I am going to celebrate this week with a few songs that proclaim the miracle of the resurrection of Christ and the truth that He alone is the Savior of the world. In the book of John, Christ declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me.” The gift of eternal life is free, but there is only one path to Paradise. Victory in Jesus is available to everyone.