Rain, Rain! Don’t Go Away – You are Welcome in this Day

Oh, the wonderful rain that has come to us in Frisco. Two days in a row means the blistering heat has subsided and I don’t have to water plants and grass. My two fur-pals haven’t been too crazy about it – they don’t like playing or walking in the rain. I've learned not to complain about the heat, the cold or rain, because, here in Texas, it's subject to change daily. We might as well brace ourselves and go with the flow!

Isn't that like our personal "climates", too? One day we are bright with a sunny disposition. Things are going our way -- even the lights are turning green before we get to them. And, another day, it's cloudy, rainy with thunderstorms overtaking us. The thrills of that "shout-hallelujah" victory can be overtaken by that "woe is me" agony of defeat.

But it's inevitable that there will be ups and downs in our lives. And, Lord, have mercy – we have had plenty of ups and downs the last few months, haven’t we? A country music legend, Lynn Anderson, made the song "Rose Garden" famous. The lyrics were: “I beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s got to be a little rain sometime.”

When we read the writings of the Apostle Paul, we might think that he and Lynn Anderson partnered up in writing that song. Paul knew suffering and he wrote to us about it, but he weathered it, because he also knew God’s peace in the suffering. He was talking about a calm that comes because of God's love for us. The calm that comes even when the storm clouds gather. Paul even had the audacity to tell us to "rejoice in our sufferings"! He said in Romans 3:3-5 "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Really? We're supposed to rejoice in our sufferings? Sufferings like being in isolation, having to home school our kids, an illness, a relationship break-up, a divorce, facing bankruptcy, the death of a loved one, wayward children, losing a job or even suffering through this presidential election rancor-- we are supposed to rejoice in those sufferings? God didn't mean for us to celebrate loses or even ignore pain or suffering. No, no, no. Instead, he meant that suffering is a part of life. No matter how many times we complain that life is not fair, Paul wants us to know that suffering (a little rain) is the part of our lives that helps us grow to be hope-filled people of character and determination. That rain gives us hope for tomorrow’s beautiful rose gardens in our lives.

What Lynn Anderson's song doesn't tell us, and what Paul wanted so desperately for us to know, is that God loves us so much that He promised never to leave us alone. The rain comes and suffering comes, but with God, we'll receive patient endurance. And patience leads to character. And character leads to hope. And hope will not disappoint us. That's a mighty fine recipe for pulling us from the darkest of times, to the brightest sunshine times EVER. That's when we'll be singing "Rain, rain – don’t go away – you are welcome in this day!” Because, tomorrow we’ll be singing “I’m walking on sunshine – whoa oh! – and don’t it feel good?"

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".

Spy Wednesday of Holy Week

Here in my community, it only slightly looks like Easter is near. Here in my community, it only slightly looks like Easter is near. There are a few cardboard signs and metal crosses in lawns. What I prominently see are white ribbons on neighbors’ trees. The word spread for us to tie white ribbons on our trees to show our appreciation to those who are front-liners in this pandemic. I’ve also seen red ribbons around the doorposts of many homes that represent the blood of Jesus’ protecting them. This is definitely not like any Easter we’ve ever known. But, lest we think it’s cancelled or even long for the “good ole days” – Easter has NOT changed. And, neither has the reason for the season. Christ lived, healed, saved, was brutally murdered, buried and came back to life and lives forevermore. Those are the facts that remain. He lives and is here with us right now!

But let’s get it straight. It does seem strange, surreal – in fact, almost unbelievable that we are experiencing this Holy Week like this. But, no less unbelievable in what Jesus experienced this week. On this day, things started really amping up for His final days. His short 33 years of life on this earth were expeditiously coming to a close.

Jesus spent this day in Bethany. It had been two exhausting days in Jerusalem and tomorrow would be the Passover. Bethany is where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus. and probably hosted Jesus and the disciples. John 12:1-9 tells us that it was on this day that Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Judas (same guy plotting to betray Jesus) remarks to Jesus: “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” We know Judas was the money keeper for Jesus and the disciples and he sure wasn’t thinking about the poor, but about His own schemes. Jesus rebuked him and said Mary anointed Him for his burial

Imagine Jesus’ thoughts on this day. Wednesday meant one day closer to His suffering and crucifixion. This day was called “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this Wednesday before the crucifixion that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them. (Matthew 26:14)

Jesus spent this day in Bethany. It had been two exhausting days in Jerusalem and tomorrow would be the Passover. Bethany is where Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha lived. They were close friends of Jesus. and probably hosted Jesus and the disciples. John 12:1-9 tells us that it was on this day that Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Judas (same guy plotting to betray Jesus) remarks to Jesus: “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” We know Judas was the money keeper for Jesus and the disciples and he sure wasn’t thinking about the poor, but about His own schemes. Jesus rebuked him and said Mary anointed Him for his burial

I'm literally walking with Jesus this week. And, hopefully you've joined hands with me and we're walking this journey together.
Somehow I think this week is just what the doctor (rather, God) ordered. We need a rescuer. And, His name is Jesus Christ. I'm thinking that God is loudly declaring: "STOP! This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased! And You should be pleased right along with Me! Pay attention to Him. Pay attention to what He did for you. This is the answer to EVERYTHING that you need.

This week I went to a doctor's appointment. I thought to myself that it feels like a Sunday -- a Sabbath day because there were so fewer cars out and about. Just maybe God called this time of "essential" services -- a Sabbath for us to slow down and think about He Who is the MOST ESSENTIAL in our lives.

We are walking with Jesus on His journey to Calvary. With great gratitude, we remember Jesus because of Who He was and what He did for us. All of humanity – ALL OF US -- were cursed and doomed to death, but Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity. Imagine that heavy load He carried on this Holy Wednesday. He must have been mustering up every fiber of His strength to go the distance to the cross that awaited Him. The cross – that would symbolize an emergency rescue – it would forever represent rescuing humanity for all time. How could we not stop, listen, and express so much gratitude for our rescue? Yes, He is our "Rescue Story"!

Thank you, Zach Williams, for putting our "Rescue Story" to words and song! May it bless you today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yr48Berkqc

Let's Be Pep-Talkers AND Burden-Bearers

Based on my social media newsfeed, I know there are many who are suffering. It's easy to respond to a "sufferer's" FB comment with cliches like: "Praying for you." Or, with scriptures like: "When we are weak, He is strong" or "All things work together for good." Please don't misunderstand me: Those words are true. Pep-talking cliches and scriptures aren't wrong. They're often just not enough.

As someone who has been on the sending AND receiving end of a lot of “let go and let God” and “sometimes God shuts a door and opens a window” pep talks, sometimes it can feel a little lack-luster. Especially if that’s all we’re getting from people. Jesus was great at reading a room. He could spot hurt and doubt and fear and He knew just when someone needed a tangible touch of grace. Jesus offered His presence and comfort, but He also met people’s needs right where they were at. He served them, fed them and healed them.

It’s often easier to promise someone a happy ending than to accompany them on their journey. As our friendships are deepened, new levels of openness can give many opportunities for becoming "soul" brothers and sisters AND being burden-removing friends to them.

Do we bear one another’s burdens well? Or do we spend most of our time trying to convince them that it’s not really that heavy or that they don’t have that much further to carry it? We believe God calls us to a life of dependence on Him, but shouldn't we also believe He calls us to a life of interdependence with each other as the body of Christ?

I've been on the giving and receiving end of burden bearers -- helping take care of children while they recuperate from an illness, helping pack up friends' homes when they're under a crunch to get moved, making meals for funerals, taking food to a caregiver so they don't have to think about cooking on top of all their other responsbilities, taking a friend out to dinner who needs "presence". And, I've been on the receiving end of those who were my burden bearers. I needed to know that God was close. That Jesus wasn’t far removed but instead cared that I couldn’t go grocery shopping without leaving my husband. A God who understood that medical bills and prescriptions are costly and sometimes our bank account didn't stretch far enough. I needed a God who gave me moral and physical support. And God did show up for me through God’s people who lifted us in prayer, who sat with me through the tears, who reached out to say, “How can we help you in this?”

Sometimes we need to do more than just an offer to pray. Not because prayer isn’t powerful or necessary, because it is. But sometimes after we’ve prayed, God is asking us to move. To invest more than our words, to invest our time, our energy, our gifts, and our presence. He’s calling us to get close, not just to Him but to each other. We can be the answer to someone’s prayers. For goodness sake, don't stop being great cheerleaders and pep-talkers, but let's be the tangible touch that shows what Jesus meant when He said: "I'm here with you" and meant it.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Thanksgiving? Advent? Christmas? Bah Humbug!!

I’m still in the thanks-giving and gratitude-living afterglow. BTW, I’ve loved seeing your Thanksgiving family photos. Beautiful families. Incredible displays of tables set with perfection. But, you may be one saying “Pleassse, no more Thanksgiving talk! No more cozy family photos.” I know not everyone can join the thanks-giving bandwagon!

You may be one not-so-invested in the holidays when it seems everyone else gets their holly-jolly-selves on! They're cheerful, happy, all caught up in their blessing moods while you are in the middle of bailing water out of your boat. You’re holding your breath that one more thing doesn’t capsize your boat and you go under. You may be one who dreads this time of the year as it holds so many memories past and you’re so very lonely. Or it is the season that reminds you that you don’t have very much or nothing at all to buy gifts for others – though you’re a “giver” and it breaks your heart that you can’t give.

I know not everyone is able to get into the “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” singing, dancing and ringing jingle bells or dreaming of a white Christmas. Your hope has been lost from the heaviness of the weight you are carrying. I know that because I know what those weights look and feel like. I’ve been there. Even as I type this blog today, I’m thinking of some dear family members and friends who are carrying, what seem to be, enormous weights of hopelessness.

Here comes the lessons we learn again from Paul the Apostle who had the right to tell us what gratitude and hope looks like because he sure knew heavy weights. He said: “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Hope does not disappoint us, because God poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.” Romans 5:2-5

We can be thankful, even in hardship, because our future is based on God’s love, not on our present situation. We may experience temporary hardships but they all came TO PASS. The phrase “it came to pass” occurs again and again in the Old Testament. “It came to pass” describes events in history and even our own experiences. “It came to pass” reminds us that these tough times are soon over; they come, but they "come to pass." We may not always realize it, but it is always true. I know this scripture is true – I lived it. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Some of those nights were long, long nights, but they came to pass and they did pass. Wounds heal. Heartbreak mends. Tears cease. A new day dawns. A new sunrise dispels the darkness. Despair loses its hold. Grief is replaced with hope. It came to pass.

Being positive and faith-filled takes discipline. Can I hear a big “AMEN”? We can do this. Gratitude is in us. Let’s not waste this season with worry. Let’s not live in regret. Let’s not miss out on THIS day that He made with you and me in mind. Because this day – came to pass. We’ll never get this day back. And this Advent and Christmas will never come again. This is our opportunity to look up with hope and expectation that something good is about to happen. As we embrace the journey of a young, courageous girl and a supportive, noble man to the town of Bethlehem, may we too, take a journey of faith and hope that “Joy to the World” and joy to you and me dispels the darkness around us and the brightness of the Star of Bethlehem brightens our own little world with hope and joy. Isn’t it worth the effort to take the journey that might change everything?

“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

What is it Like to be You?

We’ve all played “ice breaker” games with a group of people who we may know very little about. It’s a great way to get to know each other in a very open environment. But, instead of the usual questions: “What do you do for fun? What was your most embarrassing moment? What was your favorite vacation?”, what if this question were asked: “What is it like to be you?”

I assure you – it would depend on how we felt physically, mentally, socially, economically, relationally, and spiritually on that given day. If we felt good – no real aches or pains; if we were calm and at peace in our souls; if we were in a happy place with our spouse or friends; loved our job, and if we were in a right place with God, our answer may be something like: “It is great to be me because I am healthy, my family loves me, I have great friends, an awesome job, and God is so good to me!”

Good answer -- on a good day! And, if it were a faith confession of "speaking of things that be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17) -- it would still be a good answer. I may have answered it differently last week after recovering from a minor surgery. I developed an excruciating, painful skin issue. Having cloth of any kind next to my skin hurt beyond explanation (good thing I was alone). If I had been asked “What is it like to be you?”, though I would have tried desperately to describe myself in a faith-filled, upbeat, hallelujah voice, if I were honest to the bone, I would have told you that I felt miserable and in pain like I have never known. Being me would have come down to what I felt in that one season of time. I thought how I have taken my good health for granted. I thought about those who were living their lives without a thought about how good they feel and for those who were in far more pain than I was in. But fast forward to today when there is no more pain and suffering, I’d tell you “My life is like birds singing, bells ringing, blue skies, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, and walking on sunshine.”

This experience made me realize that I don’t want to take God and His blessings for granted in any way. God is good. Really, really, really good…..all the time!" Nothing that comes our way in this one life, is surprising to God. Why He allows us to experience tough times is up to Him – there is always a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful. When bad things happen to us that we simply don't understand, instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). I was saying that scripture a lot last week.

The best news of all is this one life here on earth is short-lived in light of eternity. It is the ensuring that whatever this life looks like here is nothing to be compared to what our lives will look like in heaven. As it has been written: "What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not entered into heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

So, in reply to “What is it like to be you?”, I’m saying it is a blessed life of living one day at a time, embracing each and every moment of it, celebrating that I’m a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In sickness and in health, in death, we will never part….because He’s prepared a heavenly place for me……and YOU! And, then, when asked "What is it like to be you?", our answer will always...for eternity be...."HEAVENLY!"

No Pain or Trial is Wasted

Most of my posts are from my own personal life experiences. St. Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 1:4 "That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with." And, indeed, it is MY utmost desire to comfort others with the same comfort that I have been comforted with during my own difficult times. I want to help others learn their lessons.....much faster than I did. That being said, I segue from my own words to a dear friend's words that I read recently in his FB post. I was so stirred that I had to pass along an excerpt for you. Anyone facing pain and trials can learn from his words.

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable.” Orson F. Whitney

Two events this week caused me to pause and reflect on the words above. On Thursday morning, the son of a family in our church congregation was killed in a motorcycle accident. He leaves behind a young wife and a grieving family. His father and sister spoke in church today about how challenging the past 72 hours have been. Despite their grief, the family's faith in God has not diminished. They choose to trust in Him even though they do not understand why their son/brother was taken back home at such a young age. They believe they will see him again someday because of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and testified the family has received many blessings in the form of "tender mercies" since he was killed. They have been strengthened. I admire the example of this sweet family. They move forward with faith and our prayers are with them.

Yesterday morning, after our daughter Aryn had been complaining of abdominal pain and running a high fever, two of her uncles who are health care professionals diagnosed the problem as a possible ruptured appendix and encouraged us to take her to the ER ASAP. After some tests, it was determined she needed to have her appendix removed but it had not yet ruptured. They rushed her into surgery and she came home last night. She is recovering just fine! Although this surgery will cost us several thousands of dollars even with insurance, how grateful we are that Aryn was protected. We realize had her uncles not identified the problem when they did, things could have been MUCH worse.

During her surgery, the veil was very thin for Aryn. She was blessed to see family members on the other side...my parents & Belenda's father, our daughter and grandson, future children coming to our family, and other relatives she didn't recognize. Through this trial, Aryn and our family received this blessing of further understanding that life after this Earth continues. My parents were very happy. My dad was holding Aryn's hand and comforting her...even teasing her like he did when he was alive.

Why do some things happen in this life? I don't know. But, I have faith that God is in control and through all our trials and experiences, we can find those "tender mercies" and blessings that will "build up our characters, purify our hearts, expand our souls, and make us more tender and charitable.” And I conclude this post by sharing and encouraging us all with God’s words, from Romans 8:18-23 "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later.”

Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Thank you, Eddie Espiritu, for blessing and encouraging us with God's words and your heartfelt words,

Holy Saturday -- the Cross Makes the Difference

Today is the in-between day of our Savior’s agony on the cross -- one of the cruelest methods of execution ever practiced, slowly dying in despicable humiliation, His dead body placed in a tomb – sealed and done! But, then comes tomorrow -- the day when all HELL had to break loose of what it thought was its captive – RESURRECTION Sunday! I hear God saying to us “Hold on, My Children – JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!”

But this day, I’m still fixed on what happened yesterday – more specifically, fixed on the “Old Rugged Cross – the emblem of suffering and shame”. Perhaps it’s because of this photo that I’ve seen many times in my social media feeds. It is a photo of Notre Dame Cathedral’s cross that remained unscathed after the horrific fire. The “Cross of Jesus” is what represents our Savior’s great love for us.

The cross! What once represented an inhumane, torturous death sentence, now is a symbol of love. That’s why you rarely see me not wearing one of my precious cross pendants or cross earrings or a bracelet that dangles a cross. The cross is my “statute of liberty” as one old song proclaims.

While I cherish my “jewelry” crosses as expressions and symbols of my faith, I’m not quite sure I like the cross Jesus referred to here: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to be My disciple, let them deny themselves…and take up their cross.” Matthew 16:24. When I hear the words, “Take up your cross", I know He means daily suffering, opposition, humility, dying to self, staying silent when that’s the last thing I want to do, being a servant to others, and carrying burdens that are often too heavy to bear. But, I know without the cross, there are no crown wearers in heaven.

The fact is we all must carry our own crosses in this life. Doesn’t sound like a ticket to Disneyland, does it? But, oh, it is so much better. It is a ticket to joy and peace, faith and hope and eternity with He Who paid the ultimate price for my salvation. What God offers is the promise that He is with us in our suffering; that He can bring good out of it and that one day He will put a stop to it and redeem it. The cross is not only God’s way of saying we are not alone in our suffering, but also that God has entered into our suffering through his own suffering.

Last night at our Good Friday service, my Pastor said, "The cross reminds us we have a high priest who sympathizes with our sufferings and was tested in every way we have been. The One who provides us strength is the same One who shares His victory with us. When He rises from the grave -- so do we!" None of us are without crosses to bear, but all of us have the opportunity to know the Savior Who promises us a FOREVER with Him. It’s not Disneyland, but FOREVER-Land. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, Resurrection morning and the ultimate tomorrow....when I see my Savior and my God, face to face.

It's Hump Day aka Holy Wednesday of Holy Week

In the workplace, we call Wednesdays "Hump Day". That’s because it's smack dab in the middle of our work week and, HALLELUJAH, the weekend is in sight! Just two more days and it’s the weekend! Whoohoo!

But, imagine Jesus’ thoughts on this day. Wednesday meant one day closer to His suffering and crucifixion. This day is also called “Spy Wednesday” because it was on this Wednesday that Judas conspired to hand Jesus over to the chief priests. “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them. (Matthew 26:14). How could he -- after he had witnessed Love-in-action and so many miracles, signs, and wonders of Jesus?

I’m back home here in Frisco. It’s Holy Week, but there are few symbols and signs that Easter is upon us. Even at our local stores -- Easter décor is pretty slim pickin’s. To think that just four months ago, our homes were over-embellished with Christmas décor, and then, EASTER, zilch - nada! There is little to no resemblance to the Christmas extravagance. Easter comes in almost unnoticed. Like this day, Silent Wednesday.

But extravagance and partying aren't what we do when someone we love is facing death. Many of us started on Ash Wednesday to welcome Lent and go more introspective to ponder, not just the sacrifice Christ made by leaving heaven's glories to become one of us, but to walk side-by-side with Him on His journey to Calvary. No fanfare is needed. With gratitude, we remember Jesus because of Who He was and what He did. All of humanity was cursed and doomed to death, but during the week of Easter, Jesus assumed the guilt of humanity. Imagine that heavy load He carried on this Holy Wednesday. He must have been mustering up every fiber of His being to go the distance to the cross that awaited Him.

From the cross to the grave to life is the grandest celebration of all because His death means life everlasting for you and me. Yes, my friends, without Easter, we would have no hope for today or tomorrow. So, how big is Easter? Oh, it's only the answer to pretty much EVERYTHING!!! So let the celebrations BEGIN!!

The King is Coming -- Order Up a 21-Gun Salute

It’s Palm Sunday – just one week before Easter – oh the joy of our Risen Lord! But, hold on! Without this week, there would be no Resurrection Sunday! On this day, the disciples and the crowds were fanatical praisers and worshippers – waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Matthew 21:9. The crowds rejoiced in His powers of healing, in the miracles He’d performed; His popularity reigned supreme. He was SOMEBODY! While kings today ride in streamlined jets, King Jesus rode in on a donkey, a symbol of meekness and peace. How different His entry was – not a 21-gun salute, but the swishing of palm branches.

But those finding-fault Pharisees complained about all the raucous: "Teacher, reprove Your disciples!” Notice that they didn't call Jesus “King.” They called Him "teacher." To them, Jesus was no greater than any other teacher. He had become a threat to their "authority." This, SOMEBODY, was getting in their way! But our “rock-solid” Lord replied, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” And we took Christ’s words so seriously, that today we join those crowds of praising and worshipping our King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We will NOT allow the rocks and stones to outdo us!

Those of us who know Him as Savior and Lord cannot be silenced by a few who would “reprove” us. We know what this week represents. We stand in allegiance to Him as in this week, He was our humble, suffering, sacrificial servant. He suffered rejection, lies, beatings, floggings, being nailed to the cross and dying for us. We are doing our best to follow His lead because we've learned not to run away or cower in the face of difficulty. We want the world to know that Jesus Christ is King and it is worth the price of ridicule and rejection to proclaim Him as our Lord and Savior. This Holy Week, we continue to journey on with our precious Lord. What a gift it is to know the promise that awaits us if we stay with Him on the road. If we are faithful servants, we will also know the empty tomb, and best of all, we will abide with Him forever in eternity.

Not only did our King know precisely who He was when He entered Jerusalem, He knows who He is as He enters the Jerusalem of our lives. He touches ALL people – those with rank, and those who are broken, rejected, and unloved. He never refuses anyone who comes to Him for help. He helps those with shattered dreams and bruised spirits. That's the kind of Lord He is! That's the kind of KING He is! Today, He desires to transform us, touch our lives and make us new. He loves us so much that He was thinking about us then....and He is still thinking about us today. “Hosanna! Our King has come!

Rose Gardens Need a Little Rain

Yesterday, I was sitting at my desk in the morning and the sun was so bright coming through my office window from the East, that I had to move my computer. Then in the afternoon, the dark clouds were looming in the East. Rain was on its way. This has been an unusual summer. Though we have had some blistering temperatures, we have also had more rain than usual. I've learned not to complain about the heat, the cold or rain, because, here in Oklahoma, it's subject to change daily. We might as well.....go with the flow!

Isn't that like our personal "climates", too? One day we are bright with a sunny disposition. Things are going our way -- even the lights are turning green before we get to them. And, another day, it's cloudy, rainy with thunderstorms overtaking us. The thrills of that "shout-hallelujah" victory can be overtaken by that "woe is me"
agony of defeat.

It's inevitable that there will be ups and downs in our lives. Country Music singer, Lynn Anderson, made the song "Rose Garden" famous. The lyrics were: “I beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s got to be a little rain sometime.”

When we read the writings of the Apostle Paul, we might think that he and Lynn Anderson were singing the same song. Paul talked a lot about suffering, but he also talked a lot about the peace of God. He was talking about a calm that comes because of God's love for us. The calm that comes even when the storm clouds gather. Paul even had the audacity to tell us to "rejoice in our sufferings"! He said in Romans 3:3-5 "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Are you kidding me? We're supposed to rejoice in our sufferings -- from being hospitalized because of an illness, to going through a divorce, to be faced with a bankruptcy, to dealing with the death of a loved one, to losing a job -- we are supposed to rejoice in those sufferings? He didn't mean for us to go "Hip hip hooray! I've lost my job; my husband passed away; the creditors are taking my car!" No, no, no. Instead, he meant that suffering is a part of life. No matter how many times we complain that life is not fair, Paul wants us to know that suffering (a little rain) is the part of our lives that helps us grow to those hope-filled people of character and determination.

What Lynn Anderson's song doesn't tell us, and what Paul wanted so desperately for us to know, is that our God loves us so much that He promised never to leave us alone. Yes, the rain comes AND suffering comes, but with God, we'll receive patient endurance. And patience leads to character. And character leads to hope. And hope will not disappoint us. That's a mighty fine recipe for pulling us from the darkest of times, to the sunshiniest times EVER. That's when we'll be singing "I'm walking on sunshine (whoa oh)! And don't it feel good!"

What's Your Excuse?

"All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming." -- Helen Keller

Those excuses..... "Just too tired", "Bad hair day", "Couldn't find a thing to wear", "It's just too hard", "I've tried that and it just doesn't work for me", "It's just too far to go", "I can't", "I'm too old", -- just don't seem too relevant now, do they? I can't think of one excuse that would keep me from digging deeper, running farther, climbing higher, or giving greater. How about you?