Easter joy

Far back as I can remember, spring has been my favorite season. I am enchanted with new beginnings: sunrises, daffodils, and resurrection. This time of year I usually feel like singing “Pippa’s Song”:

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven...
All's right with the world.

-Robert Browning

And of all this newness, this beauty, this joy, Easter morning is the crown.

Yet this year, as I look forward to Easter Sunday, I am repeatedly reminded that all is not right with the world. My friend finds herself in an extremely difficult situation, a child I love is hurt by her parents’ choices, and a member of my youth group faces possibly lifelong restrictions to his ministry because of a false accusation. Just last evening a dear friend’s beloved Grandpa died. I find myself tempted to doubt what I wrote in my post on spring a few weeks ago. What is God really up to? Where is the possible good in these situations?

But then, why Easter? This God chose not only to become one of us but to take upon Himself our suffering and sin.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3

In taking our mess upon Himself, He has given us the victory. Because Jesus ultimately conquered the powers of darkness, though they still rage in the world around us we have hope.

No, the answer is not easy. Truly creation groans for the day when things are made right forever. But I am grateful for a joy which transcends the happiness that is dependent on circumstances.

This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!
My Love, the Crucified, has sprung to life this morrow.
Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst His three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain; but now hath Christ arisen.

-George Ratcliffe Woodward

my sweet emily

Go

The message in this video is from Jackie Pullinger, a servant of Christ who literally gave up everything to minister to drug addicts and gang members in Hong Kong. Remember to turn off the music in my sidebar to listen to the video.






Although not every one of us is called to go overseas, nevertheless we must go...

Where is Jesus calling you to go?

"We aren't sentenced to death; we're just privileged to answer His call." --Jackie Pullinger

Flowers

"Everyone needs beauty as well as bread" --John Muir

Signs of Spring

Winter is coming to end. The official first day of spring is only a week away. (Cheers!!)

Nature speaks so eloquently of God’s faithfulness, but especially so in the spring. Regardless of how drab the winter may have appeared, God was at work. And no matter how often I disbelieve the promise of its arrival, spring always comes.

In more ways than one my winter has been long and barren.You know those long periods where God is at work in your life but you don’t see much outward evidence? Similar to the budding life encased inside the earth during a long winter, the great Artist is at work underneath despairing circumstances. And I know now that the trials have not been for nothing. Signs of blossoming emerge, and I rejoice. Spring is coming.

The budding pussy willows and eagerly growing daffodil and tulip shoots reaffirm my excitement. I am reminded of the words of the psalmist, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Ps. 30:5)

If your winter, too, is growing wearisome and the voice of despair is clamoring at your door, don’t give in.

God is up to something awesome!

People Need the Lord

Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?

On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.

People need the Lord.

--Steve Green


“Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” –Bob Pierce, founder of world vision

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6

Consecration

My heart, my dreams, my girlish hopes
I bring and place them at Your feet.
It's You who sings that love-filled song
To which my heart was meant to beat.

When hope has fled and tears don't come,
I find in You my second chance.
My heart and hands I place in Yours--
Yes, You may have this dance!

-R.J.S. (15?)


This simple heart cry was penned several years ago when I was first learning to walk with Jesus. I had even less of an idea then than I do now of what these words would mean. All I knew was that I loved this Jesus and I wanted to follow Him. That is the kind of childlike trust and bride-like love I want to have today.