Spring is my favorite time of year - I love everything about it! It is warmer, it stays light outside longer, I can wear flip flops, sundresses, shorts (all of which I prefer over cold-weather clothes..), the flowers are pretty, everything is green, we can go to the park, hike, run, play tennis (anything outside!), things get exciting/crazy busy around the office as we enter the "ramp to camp" - so many fun things all in 3 months (or so..)! The one thing I love best about Spring, though, is Easter. Easter always has been my favorite holiday. I love Christmas because it is a fun time, an incredible celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and I LOVE Christmas music (year round...), but there is something about Easter that is so special to me...
It is a time to reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. If you are anything like me, you don't enjoy thinking about the crucifixion. It's pretty uncomfortable, actually. Recognizing the fact that Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, took the punishment of sin for ME. He was beaten, mocked, received a crown of thorn on his head, and forced to carry his own cross on which he was nailed - all for ME. All so that I can live eternally with my Father. But it doesn't end there, it gets better...three days later Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead! This is an incredible picture of the power of God! It demonstrates God's power to not only bring His Son back to life, but also to resurrect the bodies of believers into eternal life with Him when He returns. Yes, I said when He returns. That's the best news of it all - Jesus Christ is coming back! There will be a day when He returns and all believers on earth and those who have already passed, will receive new, glorified bodies and rise to Him, to sit at the feet of our Father, worshiping Him for eternity. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more worries, no more crime, no more hurt, no more poverty...imagine that. How worthy of praise He is!
You hear all of that and our human reaction is to think, "What do I have to DO to repay Him?" But the beauty of it all, is that we do not have to DO anything. It's not about what we DO. Think about it...do you think you could ever DO anything that would make up for the sacrifice that He made? I don't think so. The gift of eternal life is for all who believe in Jesus Christ. It is a commitment in which you acknowledge that you are a sinner and recognize the truth that there is nothing that you can do to change your ways without a Savior in Jesus Christ. You turn TO Him, AWAY from your sin - you repent. You believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead through God's power, which paid the full penalty of your sin. You surrender your life to Christ and put no one and nothing before Him - you accept Him as your Savior. There is no joy comparable to the joy that is found in Christ.
This past Friday, Graham and I went to Atlanta to visit some friends of ours and go to the Good Friday service at Passion City Church. Over the past years as we have been with Student Life, we have worked with many of the people involved with this church and developed relationships with them, so it was wonderful to see them, catch up, and witness their God-given abilities to communicate the love and Good News of Jesus Christ. Their Good Friday service was absolutely incredible. Chris Tomlin sang a song of his called, "I Will Rise." A perfect song for this past weekend as we celebrated Easter. The lyrics are below...
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victor is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When the darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
I love this song - it is wonderful and full of truth!
After the service, we stayed in Atlanta that night and spent Saturday with our friends Brad and Brittany celebrating Brittany's birthday. What started as a day trip to Chattanooga, ended up as a road trip to Burnt Mountain, Amicalola Falls, and a really cute little town north of Atlanta. I can't remember the name...probably because all of these adventures were by accident. And by accident I mean that we just decided to drive and see what we ran into! It was a really fun day - so great to spend time with precious friends that we do not see nearly enough, and celebrate Brittany's birthday :)
Easter Sunday was great as well. I signed Graham up to help me in the nursery during the early service...he loved it. It was precious seeing all of the kids dressed up in their Easter clothes. One little girl, though, stole the show. She was the cutest of all....
This is a picture after church, but trust me - she was just as adorable at church that morning! Here she is holding her new Bible that she received for Easter - I pray that she will study this Book and hide it's truth in her heart. The outfit that she is wearing was my first Easter outfit as well...thanks Mom! (Mom made it...)
The weeks to come are busy as well - lots of weddings, traveling, and hopefully a lake trip here or there before heading out for the summer. I will update soon with pictures from Abby's baby dedication...I am officially her paparazzi :)
