He’s a Good, Good Father on this Good Friday!

I’m smiling because I posted this family photo on what is supposed to be a somber, serious day. But is it really? Were it not for THIS day, we wouldn’t have an Easter. This photo was taken at our church in Shawnee, OK. It was a big deal to dress up for Easter. Had to have new Easter outfits and an Easter bonnet. I had enough hair back then that served as all the hat I needed. After church, it was all about the Easter egg hunt. The kids would have a spirited time of finding them all.

Remembering that Easter fanfare, as sweet as those times were, doesn’t hold a candle to this year’s Easter experiences. It seems the frivolous things were, well, just frivolous. Oh, I’m sure many will still be having Easter egg hunts in their backyards, but because we’re nestled into our homes, it’s easier to hone into what Easter is really all about. Introspection of the holy of holiest times that goes from Friday's sorrows to Sunday's alleluias!

Did you sleep well last night? Jesus didn’t. He had not been to sleep! All night long and in this day, He was interrogated, lied about, beatened, tortured, suffered and died on a cross that was meant for murderers and thieves. Today is Good Friday! Good? How could this day be called GOOD?

I can’t help but consider all our world is going through right now. Maybe some “Good Friday” issues like the suffering, the dying, and so many unknowns. I get it. The struggles are real – lost jobs, financial insecurity, kids testing every nerve their parents have because they’re not used to isolation, the concerns for our medical field and essential services workers. It is truly a time like we could never imagine.

I titled this post “He’s a Good, Good Father on this Good Friday”. Really? How could a Dad be called a “good dad” when He allows His Son to die in such a horrific way? “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer …” (Isaiah 53:10). Of all the powerful verses in the Bible, this one brings me to my knees. How much does God the Father love us? Enough to sacrifice His only Son. Because the death of His Son would bring salvation to His children. That means salvation to you and to me and to all who know Him as Savior and Lord. Indeed, He is our good, good Father.

But, how could this day be called GOOD? Because out of the appallingly bad came what was inexpressibly good. And the good trumps the bad because the bad was temporary while the good is eternal. God’s love and grace came to us soaked in divine blood. The Cross is God’s answer to the question, “Why don’t you do something about evil?” “Why do You let bad things happen to good people?” God did do something. One look at His Son on the cross should silence the argument that God doesn't care about human suffering.

Without Jesus’ death, we could never know Him. We could never have eternal life. Our salvation cost a lot. And Jesus thought “they’re worth it”. And that is what’s so good about Good Friday. There is no such thing as a resurrection without a death. There is no such thing as an Easter without a Good Friday.

What is this message? For us, to never again wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would never perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Now, we know why God is a good, good Father and why this day is called "Good Friday".

It's the Black Friday Frenzy

I remember when I lived in Tulsa and on Thanksgiving night, I drove by our local Best Buy store. I just had to take this photo of people camped out already for the doors to open the next morning and then they could get their “deal”. No need to camp out this year -- stores opened at 6 pm on Thanksgiving night!

I read that, if today is like last year’s Black Friday, half of all Americans will be shopping this weekend. Aw – the blissful start to Christ’s birthday party. Hail holy consumerism! Rather, Hail Mary, full of grace and truth, and God, who got this holy birthday party started over 2,000 years ago.

The truth is this day and Advent that begins this Sunday starts the most wonderful time of the year that gives us the greatest opportunities to make a difference for Jesus. Yesterday, my Frisco family and I had a precious Thanksgiving Day filled with all the trimmings of an amazing feast and delicacies. We celebrated by sharing how grateful we are for our many blessings, played games, and took fun family photos!

My son and family always spend Thanksgiving Day in Muldrow, OK where Shawntel’s family lives and celebrates in grand style with Grandma and 60+ family members show up. I love that! Today they’ll join us here in Frisco for our traditional day-after-Thanksgiving feast of my Waikiki meatballs and all the trimmings. We won't be taking the time to join in the Black Friday frenzy. We'll still be savoring so many reasons for Thanksgiving.
The key to celebrating the coming holidays lies in the holiday we just concluded.

My son and family always spend Thanksgiving Day in Muldrow, OK where Shawntel’s family lives and celebrates in grand style with Grandma and 60+ family members show up. I love that! Today they’ll join us here in Frisco for our traditional day-after-Thanksgiving feast of my Waikiki meatballs and all the trimmings. We won't be taking the time to join in the Black Friday frenzy. We'll still be savoring so many reasons for Thanksgiving. The key to celebrating the coming holidays lies in the holiday we just concluded.

This Thanksgiving week, we’ve focused on God’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And here's what I want to leave with you this day after Thanksgiving. I don't see today as "Black Friday".. Every Friday is Good Friday and here is what I wish as we approach the most beautiful time of the year: That we stop to feel, smell, savor and acknowledge the precious gifts that God provides for us every single day. That we fully appreciate the blessings in our lives and not miss a moment. That we take them in and savor them in our senses as if we might lose them tomorrow. And thank our God for the gift of it all. I hope you embrace the moments, the season, the joys and the hopes that this beautiful season of Advent and Christmas brings -- like never before -- even if you enjoy "the hunt" during the Black Friday frenzy!

Good Friday -- He Spoke Not a Word

That sounds almost impossible in an age when it’s all talk, talk, talk and give opinions, express angst and discontentment, and complain about this and that. Passionate defenders of their opinions shout: “Speak up if you want your voice heard!"

The prophet Isaiah gave us inside information about what this day would look like 700 years before Jesus’ birth. “He was as a sheep before the shearers Who opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus said nothing in His own defense. Shocking behavior. He should be defending Himself.

How is that possible? It’s not for me. I have words to speak when I am misjudged or misunderstood. I want what I meant to be clear. After all, I am innocent. I am not a criminal. I am a good girl. I want to set the records straight! I’ve even become one of those passionate defenders of my opinion.

But it’s amazing. Jesus does not defend Himself. Jesus has been up all night enduring absurd trials. He's been spit at, beaten and abused. He's been lied about. Tormented. But, He never says a word. Herod saw no evidence, heard no evidence, heard no testimony, had no proof of any criminal act on the part of Jesus. Jesus was silent.

"Silence is golden" took on a whole new meaning. It was a picture of how Jesus handled adversity. Wonder how many of our arguments could be resolved by silence? 1 Peter 2:23 says “He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, Who always judges fairly.” Peter was an eye-witness and he said: “He did not retaliate.” When they scourged him, He did not retaliate. When the crown of thorns was put on His head, He did not retaliate. When they drove the nails in His hands and feet, He did not retaliate.

The litmus test for us is how we react when we're mistreated. The real test of our faith is often what we don’t do. Our "light" might shine brighter by not saying anything at all. If we want to "WWJD" it when we are mistreated, then we must think and act as He did. We'd first say these four sentences: "It’s not about me. It’s not about now. It’s ALL about God. It’s ALL about eternity." Eternity meant we were on His mind. What if "in the light of eternity" were on our mind when we react?"

Consider this. Was Jesus a helpless victim on this “Good Friday”? Let’s get real here -- He was the Son of God. He had the power to call down a legion of angels to set Him free. He only had to say the word and all of heaven would have come to His aid. But He never said that word. He was truly the Silent Savior who, having all power in His hands, decided not to use it against those who tormented Him. From the cross, Jesus saw the soldiers who mocked, scourged, and tortured Him, and who just nailed Him to the cross. He thought about His disciples who deserted him and Peter who denied Him. He was thinking about us -- who daily forget Him in our lives.

At the height of His physical suffering, He broke His silence to utter these words from the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. Jesus asks His Father to forgive, but it is by His very sacrifice on the cross that we are able to be forgiven! Could we possibly say to OUR enemies: "I love you. I would rather die than hate you.’” That is WJD – What Jesus DID. Oh that we could follow His example daily as we ask ourselves the question "What Would Jesus Do?" WWJD, giving up our right to be right as we take up our own crosses and follow Him. I'm writing WWJD, not with chalk, but a permanent marker on the billboards of my heart on this Good Friday and I pray: "Make me more like You, Jesus. Make me more like You. Give me a heart that's filled with love. Make me more like You."

Shouldn't it be Black Friday instead of GOOD Friday?

You know the feelings...you, or someone you love is hurting so much, and no one else seems to understand your pain. Maybe your closest family member just passed away, and it seems everywhere you look people are just fine -- they're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could life be going on when I hurt so much?"

I've been there, and I know how life can go on. It's because of this day. This is Good Friday, day that should be commemorated with thanksgiving, celebrations, and everywhere we looked were crosses adorned with neon lights, and music and bands playing and choirs singing -- and we'd see people paying homage and offering tributes about what this day means.

Good Friday -- It seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? How can anything GOOD come from an innocent, kind, good and loving man to be killed by an angry mob on this day? How can anyone celebrate Jesus’ death on the cross today? We can, because Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to save Him, but He didn’t. This good, good Man was willing to endure the cross for the sake of our salvation -- to pay all the debts of sin we owed. He embraced this fate because He loved us so much!

On this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. Jesus wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, giving, compassionate, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beaten -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends, and spit on by countless people. He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me. He loved so we could LIVE!

HALLELUJAH! We can, and should celebrate this day that SAVED our lives….literally! THIS IS THE DAY Christ bore every sin we've ever committed, He carried every sickness we have ever had, and will have. He gave His life so that WE WOULD LIVE FOREVER and EVER! How could we be so distracted and be so oblivious to this DAY OF ALL DAYS? Never again, do we wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. Now that's TRUE LOVE! GOOD FRIDAY! Oh, happy day! Now, let's strike up the band and shoot off the fireworks. This DAY is worth the grandest celebration -- this day marks our FREE PASS to heaven.

Remember Him on the cross today...praise Him...thank Him.... worship Him...and give Him your life today, because He gave Himself so completely for you! Then, be a part of the ultimate victory celebration when He arises on "Resurrection Sunday"!!! Good Friday really is so so GOOD!

A Day to be Sad....Really?

You may know the heartache and feelings when one of your closest friends or family members just passed away.....yesterday. You wake up the day after, and it's up to you to handle the responsibilities of planning the funeral, the burial, notifying relatives, and handling so many details of figuring out what to do without them. You are expected to hold yourself together by treasuring the memories, while being courageous and brave when you just want to sit and cry bitter tears because this life will never be the same again. You look all around and it seems everyone around you is just fine. They're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could they be so happy when I'm hurting so much?"

Yesterday was Good Friday when Christ bore every sin we've ever committed. He carried every sickness we have had, and will ever have. He gave His life so that we would live forever and ever. That was His promise, but this day after -- the day-in-the-middle -- the day between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection -- His disciples and His followers could only think...."It's all over for us! Life will never be the same again."
Those disciples walked with Him and talked with Him. They saw His good acts and the many miracles he performed (raising people from the dead, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, forgiving the worst of sinners and encouraging them to sin no more and love their neighbors AND enemies). Jesus was dead -- as dead as He could be. They had forgotten His "3-days promise". To them, it was all over. They succumbed to doubt, fear, and unbelief. Yes, it WAS their saddest day EVER.

But was it really the saddest day for them AND us? Those of us who understand that yesterday, His great sacrifice of His life bought us our "abundant life" on this earth and our eternal life with Him. The cross, the time in the tomb, and tomorrow's triumphant resurrection changed everything. When someone we love slips from this life, we think they are somehow diminished to ashes and dust. But this is only part of the story. The reality, the hope, the truth is that they are more fully alive and real than ever before. They are experiencing the results of the eternal life that resurrection gave us.

I pause for a moment and think about what my precious husband might be saying to us today. I think it would be something like, “Enjoy life to the fullest. But also remember your fullest life is yet to be!"

Your “in-the-middle” day may be where you’re at in your life. Maybe it feels like God has disappointed your expectations. When it seems all hope is gone because a loved one may have died, an illness may be bearing down hard on you, your marriage may seem hopeless, your financial situation may seem devastated…..but to those who know our Savior and who know the end of the story, your hopes, dreams, desires and prayers won’t be dead forever, because Jesus was raised to life on the 3rd day and He came to give us LIFE and life more abundantly (John 10:10). So hold on, my child, in the middle, it's time to get your hopes up because JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!

Shouldn't "Good Friday" be called "Black Friday"?

At first I thought "Black Friday" specials on "Good Friday" -- how dare they? But then I thought maybe Home Depot is on to something with their Black Friday specials.

After all, on this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. Jesus wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, compassionate, giving, caring, innocent man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends, and spit on by countless people, some of whom, just a few days before, treated Him as royalty as He entered the city. He was forced to carry a heavy wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. And, bottom line, He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.

What is this message? For us, to never again wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would never perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) His GOOD Son, died for us on GOOD Friday. We, in so many ways, are the guilty ones that deserved to die in HIS place. Instead, He died in OUR place. NOW, we know why it's called "GOOD FRIDAY". He paid a debt He did not owe. He paid our debt.

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do You love me?" He answered, "This much," as He spread out his arms and died. This is a TRUE love story written with you and me in mind. Isn't that enough reason for us to slow down, literally put on the brakes, today, to remember and give thanks for this GOOD Friday when HE loved us -- TO INFINITY and BEYOND!
#GoodFriday

On Your Mark -- Get Set.......GO!

Shopping is in full force this morning -- well, actually, it was in full force at 5 pm yesterday. Seems "Black Friday" is no longer reserved for just Friday. In fact, I purchased an item several days ago that was advertised as a "Black Friday" sale. Clearly, the Thanksgiving holiday is done for another year. Yes, we'll be watching out for Christmas sales now. After all -- Christmas is only one month away.

But, as I posted earlier this week, Thanksgiving doesn't have to end when the Christmas season begins, Christmas is too big for just one day and Thanksgiving is too important to only be reserved for one day. Thank God that President Lincoln in 1863 signed a proclamation calling for "a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficient Father who dwells in the Heavens…..." We need our leaders to consistently remind us of being grateful. WE NEED to BE leaders that remind ourselves and others to be grateful. Gratitude is so good for us -- it makes us kinder, more patient and humble. And, I’ll take that one step farther, one day is just not enough to offer enough thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God for his goodness and mercy to us. Just think, if we carried over Thanksgiving right into the Christmas season and if we purposely live with an “attitude of gratitude”, maybe those frenzied shoppers wouldn't bug us when they almost run us over to get that "special".

God tells us to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise" (Psalms 100:4). Gratitude is that gate and doorway to God’s joy and peace, and praise is the key to His presence. Being aware of His presence may just be the key to having one of the best Christmas seasons EVER. Instead of today being "Black Friday" to us.....we coud turn it into a "Good Friday", that becomes the doorway to that beautiful season of Advent which begins this Sunday -- that sacred, focused and deliberate time when we ponder the coming of our Lord from His heavenly throne to earth to become one of us. It really was a time of HEAVEN ON EARTH. Unlike the innkeeper who said, "No room in the inn", may we cross over from the hustle, bustle, stress and mess that can accompany this season and do our best to make room for Him.. And while we're at it, let's continue to make room for gratitude to God for His love that gave us the Reason for this Season -- the gift that keeps on giving -- our Heaven on Earth -- our Savior and our Lord! May this Black Friday.....become a Good Friday to YOU today!

They're Everywhere!

I went to see "Risen" on Good Friday. I highly recommend it. I enjoy seeing faith-based films and anything related to Jesus up on the big screen. It inspires me to visually see what I know from the Bible and I think it's great for others to have that kind of exposure to the Gospel. Getting that "Good News" message out, however, is key!

Bottom line, I believe there is nothing that can replace God's Word. Yet, I can enjoy a movie and how a director and producer team up to interpret what they know, and depict how they feel will make a good movie. I can distinguish the truth through the filter of God’s Word. Movies should be seen first as entertainment, and whether or not every detail in a movie is Biblically accurate, we can be inspired by a piece of artwork like this, just like we can a song or a painting or statute.

In this film, it was so thrilling to have a visual of what it must have been like after Jesus came back to life -- especially in the mindset of a non-believer (Clavius, a Roman soldier). The producers of the film took their artistic liberties in giving us some things to think about, particularly from the point of view of Clavius.

Here's one of my favorite lines in the whole movie, and it still resonates big in me. Bartholomew (one of the disciples) was a joy and faith-filled, disciple -- especially having seen the risen Christ. He had been found and was being interrogated by Clavius, with the intention of Bartholomew leading him to where the disciples were hiding out. Clavius said, "I'll kill you now if you don't tell me where His disciples are. Tell me now!" Bartholomew broke into the biggest smile ever as he joyfully answered, “THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!"

I loved that....and, yes, WE ARE EVERYWHERE and, like the disciples who went on to change their world, I have recounted Bartholomew's words countless times to others since I saw the movie. That's you and me. Now, we continue to manifest the words of Christ to "Go into all the world and preach the good news!" And if we're EVERYWHERE, then what are we doing to change our world? The more we realize the responsibility and mandate of our Lord, to be His devoted followers -- living out His ministry in words, actions and deeds, the more His message of love will be perpetuated. Isn't that what our world needs so abundantly?

Though the masses have continued to try to stamp out His message, it will continue to live on. It's unstoppable. Shouldn't we be living that mission with all our hearts? We're in quite an elite army. Our Captain is unfailing and relentless and we know HE WINS! When it's so easy to get wrapped up in matters that are so trivial.....instead, shouldn't we be the lights that carry His message on to CHANGE OUR WORLD and literally, BE EVERYWHERE....in our schools, politics, workplaces, government offices, churches, marketplaces, homes....yes, EVERYWHERE!

#Risen #GoodNews

The Saddest Day

The Saddest Day

Holy Saturday, the day between Christ's crucifixion and His resurrection was considered the saddest day ever. Yesterday I posted that "Good Friday should be called Black Friday" because of the despicable death of our Savior, but in reality, today should be called "Black Saturday".

To His disciples -- those who walked with Him and talked with Him, those who saw His good acts and the many miracles he performed (raising people from the dead, opening blind eyes and deaf ears, forgiving the worst of sinners and encouraging them to sin no more, and heard Him teach about loving our neighbors AND our enemies) -- Jesus was dead. They had forgotten His 3-days promise. To them, it was all over. They succumbed to doubt, fear, and unbelief. Yes, for them, it WAS the saddest day EVER.

This year, Good Friday fell on March 25th which is always the day that commemorates the Annunciation -- the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he informed her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Think about it....9 months from yesterday is Christmas, December 25th. I heard Father Bryan V. Brooks say that we often think that Jesus' birth is the biggest deal, but in reality, Good Friday -- the day He died for our sicknesses, our sins, our "abundant life" on this earth and our eternal life with Him -- is the colossal deal.

What happened in the manger is certainly significant and awe-inspiring, but what happened at the cross, and then the tomb three days later, is really what changed history. There’s no victory without the resurrection. There’s no resurrection without the cross. There’s no cross without the manger. Jesus was born to die on Calvary. Today may be the saddest day to many, but to those who know the story AND who know the Savior -- we know that JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!

Good Friday or Black Friday?

Shouldn't "Good Friday" be called "Black Friday"? After all, on this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. Jesus wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, compassionate, giving, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends,and spit on by countless people, some of whom, just a few days before, treated Him as royalty as He entered the city. He was forced to carry a heavy wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. And, bottom line, He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.

What is this message? For us, to never again wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, would never perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) His GOOD Son, died for us, Who, in so many ways, are the guilty ones that deserved to die in HIS place. Instead, He died in OUR place. NOW, we know why it's called "GOOD FRIDAY". He paid a debt He did not owe. He paid our debt.

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do You love me?" He answered, "This much," as He spread out his arms and died. This is a TRUE love story written with you and me in mind. Isn't that enough reason for us to slow down, literally put on the brakes, today, to REMEMBER and GIVE THANKS for this GOOD Friday when HE loved us -- TO INFINITY and BEYOND!

#GoodFriday

And They Lived Happily Ever After

I don't like movies that leave you hanging, or have a disappointing ending. I LOVE the happy ending ones! I'm quite sure that the movie my Life Group and I are going to see tonight will have a happy, encouraging and uplifting ending. We're going to see "Miracles From Heaven". I'll give you a movie review tomorrow!

Speaking of endings…..this is Tuesday of Holy Week aka Passion Week – when we journey toward the ending of Jesus' life on this earth. We're moving toward Holy Thursday (the Passover, Last Supper, Jesus washing his disciples feet) and then on to Good Friday, when He was tortured, suffered and died). As despicable as it was……we can still REJOICE. It's really good news! We know the end of the "movie". Our Champion, Jesus Christ wins on Resurrection Sunday aka Easter……so, we win!

Right now, life may be tough for you. You might have some health issues, or experienced the recent loss of a loved one. There may be strife in your marriage. You might not have enough money to make ends meet. But, DON"T lose hope! Just when you think the "movie" could get no worse, our Champion will be there because HE LIVES!

And in the end, we win in a big way. There will be no more tears. No more mourning, or pain or even death, but life eternal. Everlasting. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah destroys the enemy once and for all. Just hang on. The end of the "movie" -- the last chapter recorded for all to read is such a "and they lived happily ever after" ending. No, actually, it is THE BEGINNING! God wins and those who love and believe in Him will live with Him forevermore! Oh Happy Day!

Debt Paid In Full

Day 93 of Photo Inspirations -- Debt PAID in FULL
Two friends and I meet daily (M-F) at 6:30 am to walk the perimeter of our subdivision three times (3.3 miles).  We walk, talk and pray.  We're on purpose.  We pray for divine intervention for our families, our community, city, state and world.  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  II Chronicles 7:14  

Because, we're "in the moment", we notice the "God" things all around us.  As the sun rises, we recognize the LIGHT of God's creation and His "Good Morning" to us.  We see the birds flying, and we hear "Don't concern yourselves with things that keep you earth-bound.  Rise up to My view where I see the BIG PICTURE -- the BIG PLANS for your lives and those plans are in progress for your good."

Yesterday morning, we were walking in wind gusts of up to 40 mph. Whew!  Acts 2:2 resonated in us ("....the rushing, mighty wind of God came in and filled the house where they were sitting").  We said, "Aw -- God's rushing, mighty wind is upon us and that wind pushes out anything contrary to God's Word in our community, our families' lives, our country and our world.  We prayed for Israel.

But, it was "Good Friday", and we talked about what Christ did for us on Calvary.  He paid a debt He didn't owe.  He paid our debt.  My friend mentioned a health issue, and right away we talked about the blood of Jesus that was shed for our sins AND for our healing.  "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24.

As we talked about the power of His blood, we looked down and saw this red paint mark on the concrete -- and we were impressed by the visual that God caused us to see...simply because we were "in the moment" seizing the moment. There is nothing to compare with the nudges, visuals, and sweet embraces we feel from God when we make Him the invited guest, the center of attention and the VIP of our day.  Go ahead -- try it!  I promise you many, many divine encounters when you do.  Why wouldn't the ONE Who paid our debt, gave His life for us so that we would live, check in with us on a daily basis?  That's Who He is.  He is Emmanuel -- GOD WITH US!

Good Friday is GOOD

Day 92 of Photo Inspirations -- Good Friday is GOOD!
You know the feelings...you, or someone you love is hurting so much, or your closest family member just passed away .....and it seems everywhere you look people are just fine -- they're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could life be going on when I hurt so much?"

I've been there, and I know how life can go on.  It's because of this day. This is GOOD FRIDAY -- the DAY OF ALL DAYS -- that should be commemorated with thanksgiving, celebrations, and everywhere we looked were crosses adorned with neon lights, and music and bands playing and choirs singing -- and we'd see people paying homage and offering tributes about what this day means.

On this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. Jesus wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, giving, compassionate, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends, and spit on by countless people.   He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die.   He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.  He loved so we could LIVE!

THIS IS THE DAY Christ bore every sin we've ever committed, He carried every sickness we have ever had, and will have.  He gave His life so that WE WOULD LIVE FOREVER and EVER!   How could we be so distracted and be so oblivious to this DAY OF ALL DAYS?  Never again, do we wonder if we are loved.  God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son.  Now that's TRUE LOVE! GOOD FRIDAY!  Oh, happy day!  Now, let's strike up the band and shoot off the fireworks.  This DAY is worth the grandest celebration -- this day marks our FREE PASS to heaven and PEACE on this earth.