A Goldilocks Life

Ready for Resurrection Sunday

Since reading “The Cross Centered Life” by C. J. Mahaney in January, I feel God leading me to experience Resurrection Sunday with deeper devotion. Today Steve and I talked about attending church’s Good Friday service. I downloaded and plan to read “The Discipline of Grace” by Jerry Bridges during this season, a book that Mahaney recommends as a strong study of the cross. C. J. Mahaney contends that there ought not be long periods of time when we aren’t being inspired by Jesus’ death on the cross. Do I consider that Jesus Christ loves me… that the Son of God gave His life for me?

I enjoy Easter decorations, egg coloring, and family dinner, none of which is wrong. But this year, I want to fully experience joy and thankfulness for “the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Perhaps I’ll carve out time between now and Good Friday and find a quiet place to read Mark chapters 14 and 15 or the other accounts of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection in Matthew, Luke, and John.

Lord God, prepare my heart to celebrate the enormous price Jesus paid to cover my sins and give me eternal life. I rejoice that You revealed Yourself to me when I was a rebel and cared nothing about You. Since then, You have provided for my needs and allowed me the privilege of serving You. Please help me draw nearer to You by considering Your death, burial, and resurrection. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Winter vs. Spring

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Right now, the wind is raging and temperatures are holding steady at around 40 degrees. Even the ducks are hiding out. Only last week, we enjoyed two days in the 60s. It’s the annual battle between winter and spring. The garden at the east end of the building where we live has green shoots growing taller each day. Spring is coming, no doubt, but it’s taking patience and a varied wardrobe until things really warm up.

Waiting isn’t our favorite thing. Like when we go out to eat, and the service is slow and the food is cold and hardly worth the wait. Prayers feel like that sometimes. God invites us to pray about everything and even to do so without ceasing. Is it hyperbole or practicality? God always wants to hear from us. I’m a work in progress in that department.

There were some surprising answers to prayer this week. I’m delighted that Ray’s birthday party went off without a hitch. People stepped in to help, some without being asked. Extra double blessing in answer to last minute prayers for help. My friend is healing slowly but surely after surgery, and another friend experienced a bad fall yet no broken bones. Others are still waiting for the courts to decide in their favor or mourning the loss of a beloved mom. Thankfully that mom was a follower of Jesus and surely better off in heaven with the Lord than suffering.

All our battles, whether health, provision, loss, or the weather are in the hands of our Lord who sees us, hears our prayers, and answers in His time.

Death Could Not Hold Her

This afternoon, we said farewell for now to our sweet friend, Kim. It was only a week ago that she and I had a conversation at church. Two days later, she was gone from this world. Death had taken her suddenly, and the shock among our church is palpable. Kim’s daughter and family came down the aisle at church that Sunday, to everyone’s surprise. The praise team kept the worship going as Pastor and others met them with tears and hugs. The beauty of that moment lingers in my mind. I was reminded of younger me showing up at church the day after news of my brother’s death. The church then was reeling by Jim’s passing and my showing up. As a new follower of Jesus, I didn’t know it would not be normal to attend church so soon after such a loss, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to be near my family.

That’s why the church exists. It’s home for now while we’re all on this earth that’s not home for us at all. Followers of Jesus are one and support each other, gathering to worship the Lord and serve and pray for one another. In Ephesians we learn that God has brought saved individuals together as one body, the church. God the Father places Christ over his Body, the church v 1:22-23. Verse 10 of chapter 3 says, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…” Not only do we love and serve one another, but the power of our testimony together shows off God’s great wisdom to a watching world and the spiritual powers of darkness, too.

Hearing Pastor tell of Jesus’ saving power in Kim’s life could give any person the desire to know Jesus as Savior. She is alive now in heaven with Jesus by faith. Eternal life awaits all who trust in Christ (John 3:16, 36). We will all face our going home day, as Kim did. Will you enter heaven forever with Jesus, or will you face the judgment that awaits the hesitant sinner?