The fabric that weaves a culture together from one generation to the next, besides love, is tradition. Richly displayed most often during a particular culture’s holidays and religious ceremonies,
Continue reading →“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. … Continue reading →
“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Romans 4:7-8 ref. Psalm 32: 1-2 NIV An overcast sky greeted a normally sunny spring day in Arizona. My friend and I chatted as we left our Zumba class. The subdued sky was a welcome sign to us. It was Good Friday and the whole desert mirrored the heavy hearts that stood at the cross that … Continue reading →
Around certain holidays of the year, our family has come to expect that their popular potato dish will find its way to the dining room table. Known in other circles and among other cooks as “Hash Brown Potato Casserole,” the history of how this dish made its way into our family is as infamous as this mouth-watering taste treat. While scurrying through the grocery store one year during a pre-holiday food-prep frenzy, youngest (who was in middle … Continue reading →
He is not here; He is risen, just as He said…Matthew 28:6 NIV The morning began under a shady tree on a grassy slope as strains of worship filled the air. While a whisper of wind built hopes of keeping the outdoor service cool, the Arizona hot ball of yellow soon beamed steamy rays on our church family. But the worshipers were undaunted as their hearts lifted praises to the Risen Savior. Greetings rang out. “He is … Continue reading →
Each year on Holy Saturday, we have a family tradition. The making of Italian Easter Bread. This mildy sweet breakfast bread with its creamy, sweet glaze and five colored eggs poking up is a symbol of the Risen Christ. For our family, for my parents before me, and for my grandparents before them, it was a sacred Holy Saturday tradition to prepare the bread for Easter morning. Much like Christ’s body was prepared for burial–only to rise on that … Continue reading →
“Jacob’s Dream”, a sculpture at Abilene Christian University, Texas draws one to the Light breaking through the sculpture that forms a cross. “You see, at just the right time, when we were powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…”Romans 5:6 NIV So often we hear Scriptures about Christ’s love for us even before we were saved but like words we’ve heard so frequently, they fail to register with our hearts. Yesterday, the Scriptures in Romans 5:1-11 struck a … Continue reading →
In these weeks following Easter up to the commemoration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the time is designated as a season of rejoicing. Following this lead, I am going to just list the many blessings the Lord has bestowed on me these past two weeks. Praying your Easter season holds much joy and that you find blessings in the simple, ordinary events of each day. 533) Celebrating Christ’s Resurrection Freedom for all who believe in Him 534) Forever … Continue reading →
Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, just talking when a “stranger” joined them. The third person asked them what they were talking about, and they were dumbfounded. “Are you the only one living in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” Luke 24:17 NIV “What things?” the stranger asked. As Jesus’ downcast disciples explained the events of what we now call Holy Week, the stranger had some revealing … Continue reading →
Each year on Holy Saturday, we have a family tradition. The making of Italian Easter Bread. This mildy sweet breakfast bread with its creamy, sweet glaze and five colored eggs poking up is a symbol of the Risen Christ. For our family, for my parents before me, and for my grandparents before them, it was a sacred Holy Saturday tradition to prepare the bread for Easter morning. Much like Christ’s body was prepared for burial–only to rise on that … Continue reading →
