In the Cross of Christ I Glory

 Are we so familiar with the cross that we don't really see it any more for what it is?  It has become a fashion statement to many but it is not up to us to be the judge of the heart wearing that cross or what it sybolizes to them.

Is the cross becoming the cruciform - just a geometric shape like a rectangle or square? Are we witnessing the death of one of the world's richest and most potent symbols?

Well, I don't think so. Not while there are still people who believe it can change the world.



The Cross

Our Promise of Eternal Life

"There is a power within the cross which reaches deep into the human heart and into the human emotions, that challenges hatred and challenges unforgiveness, and challenges a commitment to violence"...Canon Justin Welby

These photos were taken by my sister-in-law in Groom, Texas. 

They are truly the story of Easter.

In the Cross of Christ I Glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time.......Peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.
 

The Choice is Ours

 

But letting the Light of truth in to our hearts turns our winter of doubt into a spring of hope....Samantha Evilsizer..Proverbs 31 women

 

Song of Solomon 2:10-11...My beloved spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone

 

I received these flowers for my birthday and they are beautiful, red tulips, pussy willows and other spring blooms.  When I set them in my window sill I found that the choice was mine, to look forward to the newness of life...or dwell on the past and all the gloom and doom of dark days.  

 

Trust in Him

Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus..Phillipians 4: 7

How shall we experience God's Peace?

The divine grace of peace that surpasses understanding will set a garrison around your heart and mind that will empower you to resist the temptation to worry

Don't be anxious about anything, but pray about everything; Ask God for what you need and thank Him for all  you have...Phillipians 4:6 

Become accustomed to talking with God throughout the day,  develop the habit of continually telling God what your concerned about.... an opportunity to cast your cares upon Him.  as you continually let your requests be made known to the Father, through the Son, He will grant you peace to guard your mind from worry..and give you the grace to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all things.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul

There is a purpose to every season God brings us to. Even the one I am in now. It’s difficult to not understand, but that leaves me relying on faith in God alone. Perhaps this is exactly the way God wants it

It Doesn''t Cost Anything to be Kind

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.”

—Seneca

 

 

She didn't know who He was and couldn't help but wonder why He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman.

When He spoke, she heard gentleness in His voice. Kindness and humility in His simple request for a drink. In His eyes she saw acceptance, not judgment; love, not hate. ...excerpt from Renee Swoop

 

Kindness means so much and costs so little..give of yourself for no other reason than to make a better day for someone else. When counting your opportunities in life, don't forget what your gift of kindness can do for others. Being kind is a vital way of making our own lives, and the lives of others, meaningful.
 
In reaching to others, ....it's impossible to be kind to others without this kindness also reflecting back on ourselves, increasing our connection with the world, and decreasing our personal problems.

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:9-10

 

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." Luke 6:35

 

 

Chris Tomlin sings it so well

It's your kindness Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
Your love
Your love
Is better than life

 

Be Steady in the Lord

God doesn’t want us to be the fastest or the hardest running, He just wants us to be steady. To be there. God is steady. He is always there. You don’t need to look over to know, you can trust Him to be there with you. As close as your breath away.
Isaiah 43:5 - Do not be afraid, for I am with you
excerpt from Campfire Cowboy Ministries


The world can and will send much our way, and if we do not stand firm in who we are and in whose we are, then the world will tell us.
If the world tells you who you are, I know that you will not like what it tells you.
Stand firm in your faith and tell the world that you belong to Jesus

Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity

 (words and music by Norman Clayton)

Count on Me
(Gaither Vocal Band)
I may not have the answers
To the questions you will face.
I may not be the one to drive away your fear.
My list of imperfections is too long to erase,
But you have my word, I will be here.

CHORUS:

Count on me
In this world of shifting sand.
Count on me
When you need a steady hand.
I will work and pray,
Mean what I say,
And live unselfishly.
Right the wrong,
Standing strong,
You can count on me

Encourage Others

Romans 12: 6-8…We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. If it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. We can change someone's life by being an encourager. Encouragement matters. Words are powerful they can help a person discover their own special gifts and abilities. Encouragers can be motivators, but primarily an encourager always sees your potential—the Divine spark of genius inside you... they never give up on you, even if you give up on yourself When you are with an encourager you definitely know it. You feel an incredible enthusiasm for life and your chosen path or purpose Encouragers need encouragement too, and they get it because they give it. The world needs more encouragers.Your thoughts, words, and actions may be the perfect catalyst to wake up the life purpose in another   Mary Bauer   The heart is the key to controlling the tongue... The fruit of our lips, then, reveals the condition of our hearts. "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21). "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned", Matthew 12:37; the tongue is the instrument either of a great deal of good, or of a great deal of evil; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof; that delight to be talkative; that love to use the tongue, whether in a good or in a bad way, shall accordingly be recompensed; shall enjoy the advantages or disadvantages arising from it.

Love Because He First Loved Us

"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18 (NLT

*****

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NLT)

*****

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Genesis 29:20 (NKJV)

.....slipping your hand into hers or grabbing onto his arm while walking, opening doors, listening when they’ve had a bad day, giving them your undivided attention all these are free examples of how to show you care. And of course, the universal sign of love… a hug and kiss.......Mommas Time

Give of yourself, it is the greatest gift.


This is real love..not that we loved god..but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sin.
1 John 4:10

God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, I love you. Graham, Billy

Celebrate this day by showing your Love for someone, it may be the best day of their life, and maybe yours too.