Happy Passover and Temple Tuesday

What timing! Medical and essential services personnel are on their call of duty. The rest of us are all snuggled in at our homes. Those of us in Christ, don’t work the frontlines or snuggle in fear – we carry on into each other (while apart) and into our Lord – our Place of Refuge (“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27) and our Hiding Place (“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7) No fear – there!

I had seen the 1956 movie “The Ten Commandments” many times over the years. In fact, it was the first “theater” movie I ever saw. Of course, I remember it – it was scary – especially the part when the “death” clouds (or death angel) rolled in that killed all the firstborn children of the Egyptians after Pharaoh would not let God's people go. The movie was aired a few nights ago and I watched it again.

Tomorrow begins the Jewish holidays of Passover, April 8th -16th. This holiday is about the Passover sacrifice when God passed over the houses of the Israelites during the 10th plague on the Egyptians. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. It represented the power to protect their families. And it did. In the movie you could hear the wailing coming from the Egyptian homes, but not the Israelites.

Amidst this pandemic, I somewhat followed applying the blood, by placing a picture of Jesus – Divine Mercy – that represents the blood and water poured out for us on Calvary – with the words: “Jesus, I trust in You” on my front door. Even more effective than a lamb's blood is my Lord's blood and I declare: “I am covered by the blood of Jesus, and 'no evil shall befall me or plague come near my dwelling.'" (Psalm 91:10).

I’ve seen where other Christians put red ribbons on the doorposts of their homes declaring the precious blood of Jesus to wash, purify, heal, guide, and protect them from evil, harm, sickness, and bless and make them holy. I love this symbolism – but more so, the faith in God’s Word and Christ’s blood that was as an atonement for our sins and our salvation.

Today is Holy Tuesday. We read in Matthew 21 how Jesus spent His entire day in the temple – teaching and using parables to make His points to religious leaders who doubted Him. Jesus knew this was His last week leading up to His death, so I suspect He was determined to leave an unforgettable “last impression”. He answered them so successfully that "no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions". Matthew 22:46

As we continue to journey during this Holy Week, on Thursday, we'll remember the Passover, the Last Supper and Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Then on Good Friday, He was tortured, suffered, shed His blood for our healing and our redemption, and died. He was our Lamb that was slain. As despicable as it was....we can REJOICE! It is really good news! We know the end of the “The Ten Commandments” movie. God set His people free. And OUR movie expresses freedom, too!. DON"T lose hope! Just when we think the "movie" could get no worse, our Champion, Jesus Christ wins on Easter Sunday aka Resurrection Sunday……so, we win, too! So, why should we worry or fret? God has got this. God has got us!

Coming Home to Him and "Home Sweet Home"

I leave my outdoor lights on when I'm out late at night. They're welcoming to me when I return home. For over 5-1/2 years I've been pulling into my garage and head into my house, alone. Initially, when my sweetheart went to heaven (lucky/blessed guy), that was one of the harder things to get used to. No presence there welcoming me. But, I learned that feeling was a totally inaccurate.

Now, as I drive into my garage, these words ring loud and true for me...."You're not alone. You get to come home to Jesus."

In the moment, I mean that in the most literal way. I’m thinking of a the solace and sweet peace I am about to experience. Yes, I may be alone....but I am not lonely. That said, there is an important distinction to be established right off the bat. There is a world of difference between solitude and loneliness, though the two terms are often used interchangeably. Loneliness is a negative state, marked by a sense of isolation. Someone feels that something is missing. It is possible to be with people and still feel lonely—perhaps the most bitter form of loneliness.

Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive way of appreciating ME. I have learned that my place of being alone is often where I find myself absolutely wonderful company. But, even more so, my aloneness and solitude is so incredibly heartwarming when I know that my Savior is there with me, watching over me, available to talk with, and He with me. He doesn't demand the remote control and His clothes take up too much room in the closet. He doesn't care what food I'm eating and doesn't mind if I stay up late, or turn in early. He is such a gentle and loving friend that He doesn't even mind if I don't talk to Him that much, but He sure is ready to talk when I give Him my full attention.

This place of refuge with Him is so peaceful and satisfying. It's something I cultivate and it replenishes my soul and weary body.

If I had chosen cultivating "loneliness" 5-1/2 years ago, it would have been a harsh punishment and I would have been so discontented and sad. I chose solitude and coming home to my best friend.

I open the door of my house and it seems to invite me in like an old friend. I remember again that I am loved, not because of what I do but because of Who I belong to. Home is where my heart is, and since I'm not at HOME in heaven yet, I’m learning this: Home is also Who’s within my heart AND my house. Yes, there's no place like home.D