The Tomb Is Empty

"The Angel Said To The Women, "Do Not Be Afraid, For I Know That You Are Looking For Jesus, Who Was Crucified. He Is Not Here; He Has Risen, Just As He Said. Come And See The Place Where He Lay."

Matthew 28:5-6 

Easter is almost upon us, the time for chocolate bunnies and jelly beans and egg hunts.

Most of us will get up on Sunday and make sure the basket is filled for the kids with all kinds of goodies.

We will watch their eyes light up, as they realize that the Easter Bunny has paid a visit to them, while they were sleeping.

Never before this year, have I truly looked at Easter other than just another holiday where I had to go shop in a store filled with pastel colors *shudders*, plunk down money for things not needed, but do so anyway, just to keep up with the "masses."

Now, I know that this Sunday, is the most important event of all time, yes, even more important than His birth.

His birth (which was of course very important) occured, so Resurrection Sunday could happen.

Resurrection is defined as: The act of rising from the dead.

The week leading up to Sunday is called "Holy Week", which contains, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (the mass of the Lord's Supper), Good Friday, (the day His crucifixion/death took place) Holy (or sometimes Silent) Saturday and Resurrection (or Easter) Sunday which is also the end of Lent.

The days between Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday are known as Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday.

I remember when I used to live in Italy, on Palm Sunday, we would always have an olive branch placed on our front door, never knowing who it came from or what it was meant to represent, on Good Friday, the town would almost shut down and people would walk for miles in the streets carrying huge wooden crosses, at the time I figured these were Roman Catholic traditions, now I know they did it to mourn His death.

I try to avoid anything that has to do with the crucifixion, I will admit it and I am sorry to say it.

I know the story, yet I won't read it in the Bible.

A couple of weeks ago at Bible Study, we were studying it, where the nails were placed, (some say hands, some say wrists) and we had some paperwork showing where the whip hit, where the crown of thorns was placed etc...

I had to turn it over because I couldn't even look at it.

John 20:25 "So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them,“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

I won't watch a movie that depicts what happened, it saddens me beyond words.

However, last Sunday, one of the TV networks here was showing "The Passion of the Christ" in its entirety, without commercial interruption, and since I have never seen it, I set my TV to record it.

2 nights later, I sat down to watch it...

I wanted to make sure I could watch it without anyone needing anything from me, so I waited til it was late at night and the house was quiet.

2 and a half hours later, I was a weeping mess!

It was so graphic and so very heart-breaking to me.

To sit here and know that each lash He took, each tear of His skin, each anguishing moment He was beaten, each horrific step He took carrying the cross, each nail, each thorn in His head, each drop of blood He shed, each tear that fell down His face was for me, for you.

He did that with me in His mind.

He did that with you in His mind.

On Sunday, as you get up and celebrate Easter with your family, pause a moment to truly reflect on what this day means.

He was born for us.

He was crucified for us.

The tomb is empty for us.

Happy Easter my friends.

MERCYME
And I Know I Don't Have Much To Give
But I Promise You I Will Give You All There Is
Can I Possibly Do Less
When Through Your Own Death I Live?

Justified by Grace

"But By The Grace Of God I Am What I Am, And His Grace To Me Was Not Without Effect. No, I Worked Harder Than All Of Them—Yet Not I, But The Grace Of God That Was With Me."

1 Corinthians 15:10

God's

Riches

At

Christ's

Expense

Never before this post, have I had such a hard time coming up with words, more often than naught, I am, how shall we say this? ~ Long winded. :)

Grace is something I have written about before, something to strive for, something that is given freely and quite honestly isn't deserved.

Grace is the heart of Christianity.

Grace is knowing He sees the very best in you, even when others don't.

Grace is the awesome power of God to do for each one of us what we can't do for ourselves and the simple fact is that we can't do anything for ourselves.

Without the grace God gives us, we will surely die.

On a day to day basis, He covers us with His mercy, with His grace, with the light of the sun and chooses to give us air to breathe, food to eat and water to drink.

His grace gives us all that we need, but it is up to us to either accept His gifts, or to reject them.

The package came about a week ago, addressed to me (which is rare lol).

I opened it up, almost as eager as a child on Christmas morning...

It was packed very well, each piece cushioned by air packs, plastic wrap and velvet pouches...

The necklace was the first piece I opened and as I held it in my hand, examining it, I could feel that peace I always feel when I see or hear the word "Grace", I flipped it over and saw "By the grace of God, I am what I am" inscribed into the back, just reading that can invoke the burning sensation behind my eyes.

The earrings were next, followed by the cuff, which went right onto my arm, then off again as my niece wanted to try it on.

A beautiful way to "wear" His word and what is sure to be a fantastic way to witness to others who ask about the pieces.

Thank you to Dayspring and (In)Courage for the opportunity to do this review.

Disclaimer ~ I received this jewelry free of charge from DaySpring, in exchange for my review. I was not paid in any other way. The above opinions expressed, are mine and mine alone.

Now for my sweet and loyal readers, a gift for you to win :)

You didn't really think I would forget about you, did you?

Not only were they kind enough to provide this product, I also have in hand a $20.00 (shipping charges apply to your order) coupon code (expires 07/31/11) for one lucky person.

Just go to Dayspring, browse around and come back and tell me what caught your eye...

That's it...

I don't need your firstborn named after me nor a bazillion followers on every social network known to man...

You have one week (04/20/11) and then I will randomly draw a winner.

Good Luck :) :)

CHRIS TOMLIN
'Twas Grace That Taught My Heart To Fear
And Grace My Fears Relieved
How Precious Did That Grace Appear
The Hour I First Believed

Overload

"Sing To Him, Sing Praise To Him; Tell Of All His Wonderful Acts."

1 Chronicles 16:9 

I am sure many of you remember this post...

Besides the one about Heaven & Hell, it is a post I still receive the most emails on.

People continue to ask me if I happen to have any CDs left over....

It was the one and only contest I have ever done in almost 4 years of writing here.

With his permission in hand, I set out to write a post about his music, along with a handful of autographed CDs to give away.

It was a hit.

He has a new song out, along with an official video, called Overload...

Before I began this post, I watched the video, for only the second time, the first being a few days ago and after the first viewing, something stuck within me, so I knew it would only be a matter of time before I would post about it...

I put the song on in the background as I write, so I am able to draw from it...

I can feel the pull, the pull of whatever it is in life that is holding you back.

Addiction, adultery, porn, stealing, lying, killing etc...

Anything that is pulling your moral compass, in the direction it shouldn't be pulled...

You almost feel like there is no escape, you have fallen so far and so deep and you just can't seem to find a way out.

The chains have bound so tightly around your neck, that you can't see the full extent of what your actions are doing.

When I saw the video for the first time, I had some thoughts about who he was chasing, now after watching it again, it is almost like watching spiritual warfare in action...

When you are consumed in a life of _____ (enter whatever you want), there is a feeling you receive from it, to you, it is all good, to the outside world, your actions are all bad...

I know from experience that when you are using, you love it, at first...

The lie is built from that first hit, drink, snort, shot (whatever your pleasure may be)...

It is almost indescribable, yet the next time, you need a little bit more and the time after that it will be a little more still, until you are chained to it and the only way to break those chains is to hit rock bottom, and there is not a soul who will be able to tell you different.



Once you become clean or sober or free from whatever is holding you bound, you will eventually become angry.

Pure anger at yourself for falling for the deceit and then you spend hours, days and sometimes years chasing those inner demons.

You chose to be a liar, a thief, a morally corrupt person, tricked into believing that was the best course of action for your life, and you wont be able to forgive yourself for the choices you make, until you make the decision to die to "self."

You will not be able to do it alone.

To break the chains, to find the release you are seeking, you only have to look up.

Devin nailed it beautifully.

From the opening to the closing, the song/video is beautiful, harder than what some people may be used to, bringing to mind Skillet or Creed (and you all know if I link anyone with Creed, they have to be very, very good).

Turn up the volume and go have a listen, you will be glad you did.

DEVIN WILLIAMS
You Liar
You Thief
You Took My Life Away

Each Step

"The Steps Of A Good Man Are Ordered By The LORD: And He Delighteth In His Way."

Psalm 37:23

Each new day that you wake up, is a new stone to be stepped upon.

You wake up, blessed with new mercy each and every single day, a blank page so to speak, how do you cover that page?

Do you face a new day with unfinished business from a previous day?

If so, why?

I will never understand people who live in the past...

I know that I have made some serious mistakes in my past, however I refuse to let that define me.

I will, however use my past to show just what He has done, to show how merciful He truly is, to show how much He loves me and deems me worthy, to show where He gave me strength to overcome and to show His hand in each and every step I take.

I refuse to sit around and blame others for the choices I have made.

Good or bad, they were my choices to make.

I didn't use drugs or drink or run-away because my parents were mean to me (they weren't), I used because I chose to, I didn't turn my back on Him because He didn't grant me the 3 wishes I might have made as a 7 year old, I turned my back on Him because I was selfish and thought I could do better on my own, I didn't accept the calling on my heart over 20 years ago because quite frankly, now, I can see there was no way I was even close to being ready for that.

Am I ready now?

Depends on what day you ask.

I study different Pastors and wonder how I will fit in, how I will be able to make my mark.

I struggle daily with the fear of failing, with the almost overwhelming fear of leading someone astray.

The thought of being held accountable for the soul of someone else, isn't something I (nor should anyone) take lightly, and I need to know I am doing it correctly, the first time.

When you are a Pastor, in my opinion, you need to get it right the first time, because that may be the only chance you get to stir something, within someone else.

So here I sit, so many stones have been overturned to get to this place in my life, yet so many more that haven't even unearthed yet, much less turned over.

I want each step I take to make a difference in the life of someone.

I want each step to be made in love, in forgiveness, in kindness.

I want to be able to step away from the guilt, when the day isn't as "perfect" as I think it should be.

I want to step into humility when I am being convicted from Him, because I am not doing what I should be doing, and I feel that conviction all the way to the core of my soul...

That quiet, loving voice, telling me "No" or asking "What I was thinking?" or "Why I responded a certain way?" or even just saying "Be still & wait."

It is almost as if I have spent the past 2 years redefining who I truly am, what I really believe in and what I am willing to do for those beliefs and that peace of mind.

By allowing Him to guide each step I make, I am trusting that He knows what He is doing, even if I don't see the "big picture."

There is not an area or detail in my life that He isn't willing to help me out with ~ No matter how small or trivial I may think it is.

I may not agree with much of what has happened in the past 2 years, however I am very certain of two things;

The first ~ I wouldn't change a thing. There has been so much bad, yet so much more good, that now (finally) overshadows the bad, and to be honest, I never thought that would happen.

The second ~ As I told someone tonight, no matter how bad the circumstances surrounding you are, you can believe that you are still blessed, if only for the simple fact that, it can always be worse.

MERCYME
Covered By Your Love Divine
Child Of The Risen Lord
To Hear You Say "This One's Mine"
My Heart Is Spoken For

70 X 7

"Then Peter Came To Him And Said, "Lord, How Often Shall My Brother Sin Against Me, And I Forgive Him? Up To Seven Times?

Jesus Said To Him, "I Do Not Say To You, Up To Seven Times, But Up To Seventy Times Seven."

Matthew 18:21-22

490 times or enough times that you just lose count, because you are doing it so often.

I love this passage of Scripture and since the start of this Season in my life, it has come to mean more to me than almost any other Scripture.

Forgiveness is a very slow process, I have come to learn...

Just when you think that, perhaps you have reached the state of true forgiveness, something happens that reminds you, that while you aren't as angry as you were in the beginning, forgiveness is still out of reach.

The Bible teaches forgiveness in quite a few passages, it is as much for you as it is for the other person.

More so for you, for your walk, for your soul.

The answer in the above Scripture, given by Jesus to Peter, makes it clear that He knows forgiveness is not easy for us.

It is not a one-time choice, get on your knees, say "I forgive" and then think that you will automatically start to live in a complete state of forgiveness, if only it were that easy.

Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is very important to our Heavenly Father.

We have to continue to forgive until the matter is settled within our own hearts.

Prayer is one of the best ways to knock down the walls of forgiveness, by asking, He will bless you with new eyes to see and a new heart to care for that person.

As you pray, you should start to see that person, as He sees them, and realize that the person is just as precious to Him, as you are (no matter how you "feel" emotionally).

A new light will also be shed upon you as well...

You will begin to realize that you are just as guilty of sin and failure as the other person, and that you are also in need of forgiveness.

If He doesn't keep His forgiveness from you, why should you keep your forgiveness from one that has hurt you?

So what about the anger you have?

How about the pain and hurt and feelings of betrayal?

What about the twinge of bitterness you may feel?

How about that feeling of revenge you had last time you saw the person?

While it is quite normal for us to feel unhappy emotions towards whatever the injustice is/was, it is never our job to judge the other person, plain and simple, that is His job, and He doesn't do it to us until we are dead, so why in the world do we feel we have a right to do it to others while we are alive?

Luke 6:37 ~ "Judge Not, And Ye Shall Not Be Judged: Condemn Not, And Ye Shall Not Be Condemned: Forgive, And Ye Shall Be Forgiven."

So why do we forgive?

That one is easy ~ He commands it.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) ~ "For If You Forgive Other People When They Sin Against You, Your Heavenly Father Will Also Forgive You. But If You Do Not Forgive Others Their Sins, Your Father Will Not Forgive Your Sins."

If you don't do it for others, He will not do it for you.

Read that line again, now one more time. ~

Do you really want that on your head when you are standing before Him?

We are to forgive out of obedience to our Heavenly Father.

It is your choice, a decision you must make.

Trust me, I know it isn't easy, He knows it isn't easy, however it is in your best interest to do so.

So what if you continue to tell yourself, it is never going to happen, that no matter what is said or done, you have set your mind and you refuse to even forgive just a little bit?

You are only harming yourself.

You, and you alone are hindering your own prayers.

Mark 11:25 ~ "And When You Stand Praying, If You Hold Anything Against Anyone, Forgive Them, So That Your Father In Heaven May Forgive You Your Sins."

You will know that the work of forgiveness is done when you are able to truly experience the freedom that will come as a result.

You and I are the ones who will suffer the most if we choose to not forgive.

When we do obey and we set out to earnestly forgive, He will set our hearts free from the anger, bitterness, resentment, hate, revenge and hurt that previously held us shackled and bound.

Forgiveness goes against the basic core of our human nature.

It is an act that Jesus Christ was capable of, however when we are hurt by someone, we want justice, right then and there, swiftly served up on a silver platter.

We just don't seem to want to trust Him with that.

We are all wounded in one way or another, by words, by actions or sometimes, by both, some intentional and some accidental, none of us have walked through this life unscathed, yet He has given us a way to move forward, without carrying those burdens around with us.

Corpses ~ That is what G calls them, he is forever telling me to stop carrying around the corpse, cut the cord that attaches it to me and leave it right there.

You can't do that without forgiving.

He forgave...

After being betrayed, falsely convicted, horribly beaten, spit upon, and unjustly nailed to the Cross, to die a horrific death, Jesus, the Son of God, carried no hatred for His tormentors but instead, He offered them His forgiveness.

His first words from the Cross were "And Jesus Prayed, Father, Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do." Luke 23:34

Did they deserve His forgiveness after what they had just done?

No they didn't, however Jesus was kind and compassionate, even to the men who had just nailed Him to the Cross.

I will leave you with this:

Ephesians 4:31-32 ~ "Let All Bitterness, And Wrath, And Anger, And Clamour, And Evil Speaking, Be Put Away From You, With All Malice: And Be Ye Kind One To Another, Tenderhearted, Forgiving One Another, Even As God For Christ's Sake Hath Forgiven You."

CHRIS AUGUST
7 Times 70 Times
I’ll Do What It Takes To Make It Right
I Thought The Pain Was Here To Stay
But Forgiveness Made A Way