a Mighty Word ~ still

"Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

It's where i need to be this week... still.

friend, we are love and chosen by God,
veneal

what do you see?

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10

I hope your Spring Break was special. Mine was filled with life lessons, unexpected beauty and wonder. One such sight was Wolfgangsee Lake.  Besides mirroring a beautiful sky, this lake is also pure enough to drink.  True beauty inside and out.

Father, keep me from harming those in my path. Purify me that i might be a reflection of You in my words and actions. 

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

Serious about you? absolutely!

"HE HAS RISEN!"  Mark 16:6

"But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three - sin, guilt, death - are gone! the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!" 1 Corinthians 15:57

Sunday

The earth shook, the cloth was folded, His work finished.

And the glory of the LORD shone all around.

 

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,

veneal

not a sound...

'Take a guard,' Pilate answered (the Pharisees). 'Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.'" Matthew 27:65

Saturday

All is quiet.  The rush and excitement of the last week at school before Spring break is over. Homework, fire drill and four Annie plays done, and now all sleep.  How peaceful the silence!  But not all silence is peaceful.

 

There is silence at the cross.  Jesus is dead. His body now guarded in a tomb with a massive stone covering the opening. No one can possibly enter.  

But, they forgot to consider the possibility of Someone coming out.  Oh, ye, of little faith. What a glorious day to come!  Thank You, Father!!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,

veneal

choose your side... carefully and boldly

"... there they crucified Him, along with the criminals ‑ one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'.. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him... But the other rebuked him... 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 23:33‑43

Friday

Jesus, weak and nearly unrecognizable from the lashings, could not drag His cross up the rocky path. Help came from a stranger, not His disciples. The women followed in tears, the men scattered.

The last "Annie" production brought cheers, smiles and sweet relief. It delivered everything promised and more. Jesus' last "show" on earth brought the house down, not with cheers but jeers... the people expected more. But, hold on!  The Last Act is yet to come. It will not only bring down the house, but will rip the temple's curtain in two from top to bottom.

 

Even at the very last minute, one criminal chose to acknowledge and accept Christ. One went to paradise, the other didn't. It's all about forgiveness. It's what Jesus was born to do. It's God's greatest gift and sacrifice to man.

We, like the criminals, are either on the right or left side of Jesus. With our speech and/or actions we are denying or accepting Him. God is willing, waiting, and wanting to receive all into His Kingdom.

May the words of Annie also be ours...  I don't need sunshine now to turn my skies to blue...

Just You, Jesus, just You.  Thank You.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,

veneal

by the light of the moon

Jesus prayer -
"My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You." John 17:20


THURSDAY
Sweat rolling down His back and legs and tears spilling from His eyes, the dirt on His knees change to mud. The fury of the week left the disciples too exhausted to stay awake in the Garden. Three times Jesus wakes them... and later, three times Peter denies Him. Under the full moon, Jesus is alone on the path to the Cross.

The brilliance and beauty of the moon the past few nights is mesmerizing. So full and bright; it is breathtaking. How can anything so beautiful, hold so much sorrow too?

It was under that same moon, over 2,000 year ago, Jesus prepared to be betrayed and disowned by His own, and unjustly accused by others. In the Garden after the Last Supper, He committed His final act before captured -- He prayed.

 He prayed for Himself and the ability to be obedient... Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. He prayed for His disciples and their strengthening. And He prayed for you and me. His final prayer -- for us to be one in Him.

May you see the moon in a different light tonight... His eternal Light for all. The sorrow of this night will fade as His path fills with believers. Victory over darkness is guaranteed. Thank You, Father!

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal

SOLD OUT

And Judas said...
"'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty silver coins." Matthew 26:15

 

SOLD OUT

Wednesday
Jesus relentlessly pushes onward His final days -- performing miracles, praying, reaching people for God's Kingdom. The sweet perfume oil from Mary's fingers, drips from His head and puddles in the dirt. His disciples grumble over the waste. Is Jesus making a difference, or is His time almost over for good?


Our school play, "Annie" sold out in just a few days. The money paid for costumes, props and provided funds for other necessities. Not all sellouts are as honorable.

Judas sold-out the whereabouts of Jesus for the mere price of a slave. Realizing Jesus' kingdom was of a spiritual nature and not of power or money, he sold Jesus' life for the immediate security of a few coins... coins offering temporary pleasure in place of eternal joy.
 

Are you still holding on to Jesus' Hand? Tomorrow the path we travel down is dark, difficult and necessary.

friend, we are loved and chosen by God,
veneal