Garden of your heart

I know....I know....

I haven't been blogging!  :)   We have been busy trying to complete our "big things to do list" meaning the bigger projects like weeding and cleaning up the front yard, back yard, garden (which will be completed on Friday), weeding the easement, decluttering some more, and we still have to wash and wax the cars next week.  My hubby is off for his summer break.  :)  It's been nice having him home and we are enjoying the extra time together.  We are looking forward to a vacation to visit my aunt and then a drive down the California Coast and one night stay at the ocean.  :)  We still have a family reunion coming up as well.  So....it's a busy but relaxing summer over all.

Today I am missing our old house with the big wonderful swimming pool we had.  It was fun having people come over to swim and hang out.  It was relaxing and refreshing to take a dip in the pool and cool off, or great exercise to swim laps.  I may have to turn the sprinklers on in the backyard lawn and run through them! LOL     I am not much of a summer person and it's not even that hot (only in the low 90's) so far.  I hope it is a cooler summer.  :)

The garden is growing well and we have already enjoyed lettuce, zucchini, yellow crooked neck squash, and a few cherry tomato's.  

I am still working on the book by Matthew Henry and studying I Peter 3.  I hope to have more blogs about that in the near future, but in the meantime, just know that I havent' gone away permanently, just enjoying time with my husband and my furbabies!  :) 

Book Recommendation

I just finished a book that truly is a great read.  It is titled "The Heavenly Man".  It's a true story about Brother Lun who is a chinese Christian.  I came away thinking...wow, what a humble servant of the Lord, what an Awesome God, and boy am I convicted.  It's a book I highly recommend.  I am now reading "Living Water" by Brother Lun.  These are sermon's that he has preached.   I think  that due to the persecution of the chinese church, the chinese Pastor's have a different persepctive and don't mince words.  If you like to be challenged in your faith in God, I recommend both of these books.

I will be posting more on I Peter, but not today.  My dad is in town visiting a couple days, so I am spending extra with him.  :) 

Have a blessed day everyone!

It's not what's on the outside....

As I stated in my previous post, that this scripture passage keeps coming up in different things in life.  The passage is I Peter 3:1-7

Today I want to continue to share about our adornment.  This is what vs. 3-4 say:
"Your adornment must not be merely external --- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 

First, I want to mention regarding the other post, that I do believe that Matthew Henry is right.  He isn't saying that you have to "dress down" and "can't dress in fashion."  But, he is saying that our priority should not be that.  We should not find our worth by how we dress.  We shouldn't spend more time looking good on the outside, than taking care of what is on the inside.   I think in our society (and many societies before ours) that too much emphasis is on the outward looks.  Is our hair colored and young looking?   Do we have beautiful jewelry to wear?  Do we have the most current style on?  Oh, and don't forget perfectly applied makeup.   Sometimes, we can be so focused on this that we are more concerned with how we look on the outside, but the inside of us is full of envy, conceit, etc. 

I did a Bible Study a couple years ago by Priscilla Shirer on "Discerning the Voice of God."  She had a forum of ladies who would share about what the Lord was teaching them, etc.  There was one lady on there who did not have any make up on, no jewelry, and she had her hair in a pony tail.  She ended up stating that she was a lady who put much emphasis on the outward, but God was convicting her.  So, she was "fasting" from these things for a while so that she could focus on the inner person and let God show her that her value was in Him, not how she looked.  She felt that if she didnt' put so much emphasis on the outer, she could sit at the feet of Jesus more and listen to His voice (through the Word). 

So, when I shared about Sunday's "meltdown" I have to say that my inner person was not in a healthy place.  I was concerned what others would think of me, I was concerned that I wasn't pretty enough, I was concerned that I didn't have all that I wanted or felt that I needed, and I was just plain not content!  Oh.....this was a big heart issue that God was revealing.  See, there are reasons that I am not buying new clothes.  1.  We are trying hard to save money and pay off debt.  We want to be wise stewards.  2.  I am also trying to lose weight, so why buy new clothes?  3.   The reason that I wanted them, was because I compared myself to the other pretty dressers at church and not a bit concerned that morning about my heart preparation before church.   I had to confess this bad behavior and my sinful heart. 

INSTEAD, God's desire for me is to have a gentle and quiet spirit which is said to be precious in the sight of God.  It also says it is imperishable (the outward is perishable).   I am thankful for the Lord's mercy and discipline!  :)  That mean's that He loves me!  That Sunday morning he brought around a sinful gal and showed her mercy.  He changed my heart and brought me to the place He wanted me that morning....my worship of Him. 

 Well....I am still meditating, reading and praying through this passage.  I will address more on the gentle and quiet spirit next time!

Hmmmm....is God speaking?

Have you ever had something come up over and over again, and know that God is speaking to you?  Well, that has happened this week for me.   I started a book by Matthew Henry titled "The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit."   It's based on I Peter 3.  Then my husband and I are doing a study together and the passage that it suggested for the women to read was I Peter 3:1-9.    Hmmmm.....I don't believe this is a coincidence.   So, I have decided to slow down, spend some time meditating on this passage and learning from it.

This is what I Peter 3:1-6 says:

"In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.  Your adornment must not be merely external -- braiding the hair, and wearing of gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.  For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submission to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have becom eher children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear." 

It's kind of funny (NOT) that on Sunday morning after reading in the book and then reading the passage on my own the night before I had a "meltdown" over what to wear to church.  I felt like I had NOTHING to wear.  I wanted to wear something more feminine, prettier, etc. 

Matthew Henry says in regards to apparel "But we must not make these things our adorning; that is, we must not set our hearts upon them, nor value ourselves by them, nor think the better of ourselves for them, nor pride ourselves in them, as if they added any real excellence to us.....We must spend no more care, or thoughts, or time, or words, or cost about them, and lay no more stress or weight upon them than they deserve, and that is but a very little.......Let not these things be all the world with us, as they are with many, who reckon that to be out of the fashion (whatever it be) is to be out of the world.    Christians are called out of the world, and delivered from it, and should evidence a victory obtained by faith over it."

So....I guess the first thing that I am learning is to be careful to not place my value and worth on what I "put on" (my clothing).  That's not where God places my value. 

I will follow some other posts later as I study, pray and read through this!  :) 

This is not my home!

This morning I woke up a bit tired.  Life has been busy!  I have had lots on my things to do list to get done.  I have been focused.  I have been "busy at home" as Titus says women should be.   I still have lots on that list to get done, but this morning I was dragging. 

So, before I pulled out the bills to be paid since it is payday, and after I made a cup of coffee with 1/2 caffeine (I normally drink decaf) , I sat down to read the news on the computer.  Oh why did I do that?  Anxiety filled my heart as it feels as if everything is so out of control.  Crime, government, illness, etc.  Even in San Diego a couple is fighting for a right to have a Bible Study in their home without having to get a permit to do so.  What is going on?    Isn't this the nation that was founded under God with religious freedom?   

A song came on the Christian radio this morning by Jeremy Camp "There will be a day."  This song is currently playing on my blog.   Immediately the Lord reminded me "Debbie, this is not your home.  Your husband, your family, your friends, your home and stuff, yes, even your dogs, are not yours, but mine!  So, you do not have to fear.  You do not have to be anxious.  I am God, there is no other.  My will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Fix your gaze on me, not on this world."     Peace has flooded my soul! 

I want to live as those that are mentioned in Hebrews 11.

vs. 16 "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them." 

Daily life.....

Life has been a bit slower since I am no longer leading Bible Study at church.  I have really enjoyed the time.  I have spent it spring cleaning, planting the garden, doing some yard work, trying to keep up on daily chores, exercising on my treadmill, playing with the dogs, reading books, hanging with my hubby, dog sitting, enjoying the simple things in life.  There are times that I feel guilty that I am not busier, but I am so enjoying the time.  I've had more "alone time" since my dad has been with my aunt and uncle too!  He will be staying at there house now about 3 1/2 weeks a month and home only about 3-4 days.  I miss him, but am also enjoying some time to myself which I haven't had a lot of.  :) 

In order to get more organized on my house cleaning, etc. I have been using a chart that I made up to determine what chores need to be done each day/week.  It has helped me stay focused as I love to check things off the list after they are done.  :)  I still have to finish spring cleaning the home office.  I don't know why I have been dragging my feet....probably because it seems overwhelming, but I already have the huge bookshelves done, and it really would only take a couple hours to finish up.  I plan to do that this week. 

Decluttering.....this has become more important to me over the years.  I guess after having to go through all of my mom's stuff after she passed away, I determined to not hang on to things.  It is also so much easier to keep a house clean.  So, I am still finishing gathering some more things from closets so that I can take and donate some things. 

We used to have a small group that met in our home, but found that people were struggling to meet on a weekly basis so we stopped the group several month ago.  We had everyone over for a potluck on Friday and everyone decided to meet once a month for a little study (probably the Fireproof Couples Study) and if possible have one social a month.  We really connected well with these people and look forward to meeting once again.  :)    We all prayed faithfully for one another, helped one another when there was a need, etc.  We are excited to be part of their lives regularly once again!  :)

Only 2 1/2 weeks left of work for my hubby and then he gets 6 1/2 weeks off for the summer.  We are looking forward to this time.  :)  I am just hoping that I don't get too lazy with a more relaxed schedule with him home.  Yikes! 

Land for Sale in Bonanza, Oregon

We have land for sale in Bonanza, Oregon. 

We just lowered the price to $21,900 (it's not reflected on the website yet).  It's a nice piece of land...1.84 acres with a bit of a view of farmland below.  It is a nice dead end street that is maintained year round that has utilities right in front of the property and already has septic approval.  It is in an area of good wells.  It is a nice community, but we have decided that we need to sell (we bought it for retirement) because we decided that being debt free was more important at this point in time. 

So if you are interested in checking out the property here it is:

www.oregonranchland.com/land235.htm

Lord, we commit this sale of the property to you!  We ask that you would bring a buyer who loves the property as much as we did!  :)

Aren't they cute!

Any good mama always wants to show off her babies!  These are my furbabies recently.  There is a picture of Sammie after being groomed and a picture of Holly barking to play ball! 

It's the simple things in life that I enjoy the most! 

I'm Waiting on you Lord...

I really have found this song to minister to my heart this morning!    All of is in some way or another are waiting on the Lord for something.  This song describes how we are to wait! 

www.johnwallermusic.com/updates.php?currentpage=2

Here are the words:

Not my favorite day

I know for most women, they are so excited to celebrate Mother's Day.  I don't blame them, and I think that mom's should be honored on this day and every day.  We plan to celebrate with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law which I ALWAYS look forward to!  :) 

Unfortunately, it is probably one of the hardest days for me too!  First, because I didn't have the best relationship with my mom growing up or as an adult . This morning I was able to think of a couple good memories that I had with her.  1.  When I was in Jr. high school she took me out to lunch and to a Bible Book Store to buy me a Bible.  We had a fun day and I really enjoyed the time together.  2.   When I was in high school, we were at the fair for something and we were sitting talking to some friends.  My mom started to play with my hair which is something she never did.  It made me feel so loved and cared about.   How I wish things would have been different with her, for whatever reason they weren't.  She passed away in 2002. 

I also struggle with this day as my desire has always been to be a wife and a mother.  Well, I was blessed to become the wife of a wonderful man in 1998, but we have been unable to have children for whatever reason.  As we have debated about foster children, adoption, etc. we have decided not to for personal reasons.  I remember a friend who was trying to have children tell me that she didn't know what she did that God would "curse" them in this way.  She said "children are a blessing from the Lord" so if you don't have them, then God isn't blessing a person.  Well, she has since had two beautiful children.  But, that still plays in my head at times.  I don't have the answers, yet I do consider myself to be blessed by God (just not with children).  I have salvation through Jesus Christ.  I have a a wonderful husband, dad, brother, extended family, etc.  I have friends, the cutest puppy dogs ever, etc.   So, is it a curse that I don't have children?  Is it because I am not deserving?  Is it that I would be a terrible mother?  Is it that God has other plans for us?  In all honesty, I don't know, but I just trust that the Lord who loves me and knows my heart will sustain me each day.  He has done a great job thus far!  :)

I usually stay home from church on Mother's Day.  I have decided to make it a special time with the Lord.  I spend time reading the Bible, praying, praising Him and sometimes crying and re-surrending this area to Him.  I pray that even though in this life I may have sorrow, disappointments, etc. that I won't live in my disappointment, sorrow, etc. but live for Him and for my future with Jesus in heaven.  This life is only temporary!

So, even though Mother's Day isn't my favorite day, I do want to praise you mom's out there who are doing the hardest job there is, raising the next generation.  Let me encourage you to be dililgent in teaching them God's ways.  Teach them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and mind, and to love others.  Teach them to obey His ways.  Teach them that they can trust Him with all their hearts.  One of the best ways to teach these things is to demonstrate it.  Live it out!  You can't do this alone, you need the Lord to help you!  Abide in Him each day and you will see how the Holy Spirit will give you fruit overflowing, help in times of need and wisdom that is needed each day as you mother your children.    And those times that you blow it, and everyone does, then I encourage you to humble yourselves before your children and ask for forgiveness.  The words, "I'm sorry" can go a long way!  May God give each of you the strength, grace and endurance to finish well in raising your kids!  God bless you all!

Today's Word

"Taste and see that the Lord is good.  How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"  Psalm 34:8

To find the Lord good, we need to taste and see.  We need to take an active role in that pursuit.  So often we want to sit idly and wait for God to reveal His goodness, which by the way, He so faithfully does.  But, he doesn't want us to just wait for that, but to jump in and experience it.  How can we experience that? By taking refuge in Him.  When life is good, when life is difficult, when there are disappointments, when there are extreme joys, when there are things we do not understand, when there has been clarity, when we are tired, when we feel good and energetic......we need to take refuge in Him!  Every day....All day.....and as we do that we will taste, experience, see, enjoy the goodness of the Lord. 

He loves us so much!  No matter what we are going through (and today I am struggling a bit with a disappointment), but, I can say with a whole heart that HE IS GOOD!  That is who He is!  Goodness is His character.  Let's rejoice in that today!  :)

The best healing aid we have!

When we get cuts or scrapes, there are ointments that we can put on to help in the healing process.  We have bandaids to cover the wound to keep out the dirt. 

For emotional, mental, spiritual deep cuts and scrapes, the absolute best healing aid is God's Word.  I often talk about how it is healing balm to my soul.  By staying in God's Word, we can heal from those wounds from the things we have done, or the things done to us.   I am living proof of that!  We can heal from the overwhelming schedules in life that we have placed on ourselves or the worries and cares of this world.  We find hope  in the midst of a world that changes so quickly  away from God's ways.  We see that without Christ we are nothing, and so we are given the opportunity to  put our faith and trust in Him who died for our sins....the salvation of our souls...the most incredible healing balm in Jesus!  We can be restored to our Maker who loves us, gave His life for us, who lives for us, and will come for us.  We find peace in the midst of chaos.  We find hope in the midst of war, drought , hatred towards God's ways, etc.   

When there are those who are teaching false doctrines, we can find truth in God's Word to prevent that terrible disease causing doctrines from becoming part of our lives.  We can come along side the weak with hope and truth and snatch those out of the fire who are perishing.  All because of God's Word and the truth it brings.   What is the cure for being led away from God's ways?  Reading and obeying God's Word. 

Have you spent time in His word today?  What about yesterday?  It is a challenge sometimes to sit down and sit quietly before His Word (The Bible) and soak in what He wants to teach us, show us, reveal to us, etc.  It takes discipline!   If you are like me, I can get sidetracked by my "things to do list."  It is so easy to become focused on my home and all that needs to be done.  That is why I am committing to taking God's Word and making it part of my morning breakfast each day before the hustle and bustle.

I need:

*to hear from Him

*to have Him help to set my agenda for the day

*to have my focus on Him instead of on myself

*to learn how to live and speak

*to allow myself to surrender to the Holy Spirit in my life

*to be disciplned for wrong behavior or thoughts

*to be loved on each and every day.....do you know that HE LOVES YOU?

*to have His Word heal my worn out and tired soul...from worry, fear, etc.

*to remind me what my purpose is here on this earth

*to have His Word keep me from sin (Psalm 119:11)

*to know His Word to battle against the enemy

Oh there is so much......basically when it comes right down to it.  I NEED JESUS!  I AM DESPERATE FOR HIM EACH DAY! I NEED HIS WORD!  I WANT TO LIVE FOR HIM IN EVERYTHING THAT I DO. 

How about you????????

What I like about spring!

These are things that I like about spring:

1.  Easter - celebrating that Jesus rose from the dead!!!!!

2.  Flowers (all kinds)

3.  Birds chirping

4.  Dove's havings babies in the nest above my porch light.

5.  Lizards running around in the yard.

6.  Butterflies

7.  Hummingbirds

8.  Ladybugs

9.  Bees (well, not Africanized Bees)

10. Warmer days, cool nights.

11. Planting a garden

12. The first vegetable plant popping up through the ground.

13.  Being able to open up the doors and windows in the house to let in the fresh air.

14.  watching my furbabies laying out in the sun.

15. Spring cleaning (well at least once it is all done)

The Joy of being a homemaker!

I am finding joy once again as a homemaker.  Since stepping down from leading Bible Study, I have such a sense of peace and joy in the little things at home.  I have had a few bouts of "fear" of getting bored, then I just laugh....I have never been bored my entire life as a homemaker.    Right now I have so much on my things to do list, but I am not stressing over it because I know I will have plenty of time to get things done.  Here is my list:

1.  Plant Garden (that is my goal for this week and part of next week)

2.  Spring Cleaning starts next week....boy does my house need that!  :)  I am looking forward to it!

3.  Organize recipes

4.  Declutter (while spring cleaning)

5.  Keep ourselves within budget on everything.  I enjoyed grocery shopping today and coming in $8.00 under budget for this week!  :)  Made me just praise the Lord for helping me stay disciplined and for providing for our needs!  :) He is so good to us!

6.  Enjoy the simple things:  Puppy dogs, family, friends, flowers, birds, ladybugs, books, music, etc. 

7.  Find some special things to do for my hubby to show him how much I love him.  (special meals, notes, maybe even watch a baseball game with him  , read together, write him a poem, etc)

I haven't taken my blood pressure and I should to see if it is lower now.  I sure feel better and not stressed!  I haven't felt this way in a long long time!  In all honesty, YEARS!  I am so thankful for this sabbatical the Lord and my hubby are giving me!  :)

Thank you Lord for this period of rest you are giving me!    As you know, it was just what I needed!  I love you Lord!

I am so blessed!

Today was my last day leading Bible Study for ladies at church.  I still meet with the evening ladies in a little while for our last study, but I wanted to share this most amazing gift that I received. 

A lady in our study asked for a few photos of Sammie (the Goldendoodle).  I would always use Sammie in my illustrations for teaching as he is so funny and does so many things that were perfect to use.  Well, today she gave me this oil painting her husband painted.   It has a beautiful frame and the oil painting is quite large. 

It looks just like him with the dirty feet and all!  :) He loves to run in the mud!   I could not have a more cherished gift.  The ladies were also very generous in giving me $150.00 gift card to our local Christian Book Store.  They all made me feel so special!  It's funny how you wonder if you ever make any sort of impact in peoples lives, and I hope and pray that I really did in theirs.   It's all for His glory!  To God be the glory!

Happenings!

I haven't been updating well, have I?

This past week was a good but busy week!  I planted a bunch of bushes and perennial flowers in my front yard.  I have been wanting to do this for a while, but now I have some bubblers to water everything on a timer.   I will have to take some photo's and post them.  :)  

On Saturday I helped a friend plant her very first garden!  It was fun!  :)  I am so excited for her to see the first sprouting of her garden in a week or two.  It's always an excitng time!

My poor hubby has been sick with a terrible cough since last Wednesday.  We have been giving him Mucinex and a cough medicine he can take but it doesnt' seem to be helping.  I called the Dr. this morning to try and get him in, but they didn't ahve any openings.  She said that he will most likely call in a RX over the phone.  She was going to give his chart to the Dr.   So, we are waiting for the call.   I found out the hard way that some of the preps that I thought I had for illness weren't any good.  I had a humidifier that doesn't work.  Yikes!  So, I will be buying a new one today to make sure we always have it on hand when we need it.  So, hubby is home from work today.  He plans to go in tomorrow as it is state testing the next three days.  Hopefully he will be feeling better!

Tomorrow is my last day leading Bible Study!  It is actually a totally fun day as we will have prayer time in small groups, I have a bunch of thank you gifts to give to those who have led small groups, hostesses, set up, clean up, sound people, and then we have a luncheon and a silent auction.  It is always a fun time with the ladies!  In the evening study we will do the same, except have a potluck dinner!  :)

I am going to get my garden planted this week!  WHOHOOO!!!!   I love garden season!  I am actually only planting 1/2 the size that I normally do, but will still have lots of produce:  Tomato's, carrots, lettuce, spinach, kale, onions, zucchini, yellow crooked neck squash, watermelon, canteloupe, green beans, cucumbers.  I usually grow all of  these, but grow twice as much as I am going to do this year.   I plan to do a fall garden this year too, so I didn't want to use all my space for a summer garden.   I plan to have a garden going all the time except Nov. - Feb.  We will see how it goes!  :)

 I am looking forward to going to a friends house for lunch on Wednesday!  I have missed spending time with my friend, so it will be a fun time! 

So that's what is happening in my neck of the woods....or to be more accurate in my plot of the desert!  ;)

Seasons of life!

I am about to enter a season of life that really seems different to me than most.  Since I was 10 years old, I have always had the desire to serve the Lord in whatever way I can.  I have been active my entire adult life either as an intern in a church, church planting, discipleship, missions and missions committees, women's retreats, women's small group leader, women's ministries, and most recent as  Bible Study leader.   That is all changing in two weeks.  I am stepping down as leader and from any involvement (except attending church) for about a year.  My husband felt that I needed a break (which is true) and has a desire for us to minister together at some time in the future. 

I am feeling such a different amount of emotion regarding this:  Fear, relief, sadness, joy.....I know...doesn't make much sense does it!    I am feeling joy and relief to have a break.  To focus on my husband as my ministry.  To be able to finish out my garden this year without letting things rot on the vine because I am too busy to pick them.  Sadness, in not being able to invest in these ladies lives that I have grown to love and to teach God's word on a regular basis.  Fear as to what the Lord has.......in all honesty, fear of being lonely, fear of "resting."  Why is that?  Is it that we live in such a society that in order to be anything we have to be doing something?  Or is it that I personally feel a bit like a failure for not being able to juggle it all and need to take time off?  My Pastor reassured me that we all need a sabbatical at times.  This is just my time.  Even today, I found myself apologizing to my husband for looking through a Christian book catalog like I was doing something wrong for kicking back a bit.  He of course, wants me to slow down, rest more, etc. 

So, what will I be spending my time doing?  To sit at the feet of Jesus, to know Him better, to find my refuge and strength in him.   I plan to start www.flylady.com in getting my house spic and span, find and do special things for my husband to build him up and encourage him,  I plan to garden.  I need to take better care of my health (take vitamins reguarly, exercise, eat healthier - Nourishing Traditions), spend time with family (especially get some extra time with my nieces and nephew as they are growing up way too fast), write a Bible Study (which I already have the first chapter written with my sister-in-law's help who is editing),  spend time with a friend in the area, and find more time to encourage friends out of the area, write letters and mail them instead of just e-mailing, be an encouragement to my dad and other family members, and of course play with my furbabies!  :) 

We all go through seasons in life....for many, I know would love to have this down time.  I am trying to embrace it.  :)  I do know that no matter what I do in life, my desire is to always serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray that I will do this with full joy even when it seems like a mundane thing to do (dishes, laundry).  My husband is my first ministry and what a joy to be able to really focus wholeheartedly on serving him, helping him, encouraging him. 

So, this has been what I have been battling with a bit over the past couple months.  I couldn't really say anything in case anyone from church read it as I hadn't announced it until this past Tuesday.  So, in two more weeks, life will slow, my focus will narrow mostly to the Lord and home, and I will be able to rest a bit more.  :)  It will seem strange, but be good!  :)

What was it like that morning?

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while he was still in Galilee, saying the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'   And they remember these words, and returned from teh tomb and reported all these things to the eleven adn to all the rest.

Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.  But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.  But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened."

Luke 24:1-12

What beautiful words.......He is not here, but He has risen!  Jesus died for our sins, He conquered death and He rose again on the third day.    Blessed is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who is Lord of all!

HAPPY EASTER!

He is just so cute!

How should we live?