Jesus Died and AROSE!

"In Christ Alone" is my favorite song! Last night while watching this video, I bawled! Haven't cried like that in a long time. It was honestly refreshing. I saw "The Passion of the Christ" in the theater with my younger sister when it was first released, and it was difficult to watch, but powerful, and incredibly moving! As time goes by, the knowing of what Christ Jesus did for me separates from the emotion behind it. I will always know that Jesus died for me, but when the torture that He suffered is before my eyes, I see my name etched in His flesh. I may not have been alive the day my Savior died, but He carried me with Him as He bore the cross to Calvary. 

Yes, Easter is a time to celebrate Christ's resurrection from the dead, but reflecting on how He died is just as important as rejoicing in His return! "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)  There is no death comparable to Christ's. Do you realize all that Jesus went through for you, Friend? It goes beyond simply knowing. Imagine being in the crowd that day. True, it's awful to think about, but it IS necessary because we MUST live chained to both, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!! "If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection." (Romans 6:5)  Do not think it was not easy for Him. He was every bit as human as you & I; He felt every lash of the whip & every prick of the thorn. He suffered, beyond the point of all imaginable and unimaginable pain. Realize how severe His suffering, and know that He chose to endure it so that you wouldn't have to!!

This is what I know to be true of the God I serve, and it's still SO hard for me to comprehend...    If I was the only person on earth and drove the nails into His hands myself, HE STILL WOULD'VE CHOSEN TO DIE FOR ME!! And the same is true for you! He took your place, Friend! He loves each and every one of us with this matchless, endless love. How can people not love Him back?! Wouldn't you want to?! 

This is hard to watch, but seeing a glimpse of what Jesus went through for you and me, helps keep us close to Him. 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

 Jesus rose a Victor over death and HE LIVES!! He is worthy to be praised, worshiped and adored!! Rejoice with me, Friends! We serve a Risen Savior and share in His victory!! 

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

1Corinthians 15:57

Oh how He loves you and me!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!! 

Untitled Hymn

Wanted to share one of my all time favorites with you, Friend! It's a great reminder that through it all, Jesus is our constant! Enjoy!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Cuckoo!

Hello sweet Friend! How much do you know about the Cuckoo? We've named a clock after this bird. My great grandmother (amazing woman who is now with the Lord) used to have one, and every half hour & hour, the little bird perched in the rafters of her clock would abruptly exit it's tiny chamber and call out "Cuckoo!!!" repeatedly until we were all acutely aware of the time! I always wondered why she had, what I thought was, such an annoying contraption. Rather than hearing "cuckoo!" I always heard, "Your life is ticking away! Just wanted to remind you!" Well, here's what I've since found out about the bird within the clock, and why it was so named.

When a mother cuckoo needs to lay her egg, she doesn't build her own nest. You see, she has no intention of caring for or raising her baby. Instead, she lays her egg among the others, in the nest of another bird & flies away. When the baby cuckoo hatches, it usually shoves all the other eggs out of the nest, keeping for itself, all of the food & attention from its new Mother. I found this shocking! You'd think the original mother bird could've at least written a note of warning..."I've left you with a greedy li'l booger that will make your life miserable! Be prepared for disaster! Oh, and thanks for doing this so I don't have to." This baby bird is not a creature that goes out of its way to make others feel wanted or welcome. Quite the contrary. I just have to post a few pictures of this because they speak louder than words.

Here's the newly hatched little rascal putting the other eggs on its back & tossing them out of the nest.

Here's the growing cuckoo trying to remain squeezed into the nest while still being fed by its adopted mother. 

I have to admit, it makes me chuckle. :) 

 I just can't get over the nature of this bird...ridiculously comical!

Scary that we too can be guilty of assuming a similar position of entitlement in life. 

Often times, I see myself as kindred to this baby cuckoo. I am loud and obnoxious, and I'm sure I cast others aside while focusing too much on all that concerns me.
See this:

Sometimes, that big squawking, odious bird...yeah that's me! Sad to say, the nature of it comes naturally. I'm sure folks know when I've got my "all about me" attitude goin' on. Now unlike the cuckoo on the wall awaiting the gears to trip it into action, I have no excuse. My purpose is opposite that of the cuckoo. Acting as such is not the way to win friends & influence people and it certainly isn't a clear representation of Christ.

If we live as we are called, then we must constantly battle against our "cuckoo" moments. Here are some scripture passages that can help.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24
"I have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Luke 9:23-24
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30
"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourself." Philippians 2:3

Friends, let's strive to be Christlike, not Cuckoos! Make room in your life for others, and put forth effort to ensure they know you care!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!