Believe the Truth

It must be very sad for people that are very alive to find out that they are presumed dead. Of course if they want to disappear and not be found, it might be a relief. Then there are those who are estranged from family or friends who might find themselves erased from the other persons' "alive" list through no desire of their own. What must God feel when people declare Him dead?

I think it is apparent that if someone should say God is dead, they must have believed at sometime that He was alive. The question I would ask them would be, "How did He die?" I might even want to know the where and when of His death. Then there is the fact that if God is God and He is dead, who is holding everything together? Ultimately saying that God is dead is a silly and unfounded premise except in the mind of fools.

What does an estranged family member feel when they discover that the other person has declared them dead? Anger may cause them to push away futher allowing the deception to continue til the ultimate of separation takes place. Grief could encourage them to work toward a solution which may never be resolved if the other person refuses to believe in a resurrection. In any case it is very sad when hate destroys relationships.

I wonder how Jesus felt when walking on the road to Emmaus talking to two of His followers that believed He was dead. They didn't recognize Him until He revealed Himself through His unique way of communing with them through the bread and wine. These men, and even Mary Magdalene, who met Him near the garden tomb, were blinded by their belief that Jesus was dead. They could not see the truth standing in front of them until He revealed it to them. I can imaging His saddness that their belief fell short of letting them see Him alive. He did not want them to grieve over him because He lived! He had won the victory over the grave for them and their little faith was not even enough to allow them to se the truth of Him standing before their eyes. Jesus, did not turn away from them and let them stay in their unbelief, but gently revealed himself and then went on his way.

Believing in the truth helps us to see past the grave. The truth that surrounds us in all of creation will prove God still lives! The truth that misspoken words and thoughtless actions can be resolved, will enable relationships to be resurrected to live in strength because of the working through the storm. The truth of history and the fulfillment of all God said in his word proves Jesus' resurrection from the dead. We only need to believe truth.

Father of Truth, You cannot lie. You ask me to trust You and believe all that You have said, and what I have experienced in the world that reveals You. I am so sorry that I have failed to believe fully sometimes. I have been as Mary and the disciples. I have seen the truth in front of me and failed to believe. Reveal yourself to me as You have done for them! Thank You for not being a respecter of persons, for You will offer me and my loved ones the same opportunites for faith as You did Your disciples. Thank You! Thank You!

Speechless

Silence awakens my ears. I hear the whisperings of the breeze in the trees or the twittering of tiny baby birds waiting for their next meal. I hear the soft and gentle voice of my Savior speaking to my soul.

Early Resurrection Sunday morning, Patrick and I went out to watch the sun rise. Fog greeted us with a dim cool blue haze that blocked out the bright orange of the sun. It was not a breathtaking AHA moment when the sun rose, but there was a breathtaking silence followed by the praise of bird song!

I sat wrapped in my white blanket and thought of the first Resurrection morn. Movies often depict a misty morning walk for the women who went to the empty tomb. We don't know for sure what the weather conditions were, but we know the women were discussing their plans, the earth rumbled with an earthquake that came with the Angel who rolled away the stone, and Angles told the Good News for the first time.

"He is not here. He is alive!"

The first Resurrection morning my not have been silent, but it certainly leaves many speechless.

Everyday I am reminded that He is not in the tomb, He is alive in me! It is His life that speaks to me in the silence. When I look around at creation and ponder the changes within my heart, I am speechless. I must listen to His words before I can shout His praise! It all begins and ends with Him!

Wonderful Savior and Lord of Life, I silence my soul to hear Your voice, Your message, Your Good News! I cannot speak without experiencing You. Thank You for rising up to meet me each day! Thank You for the good news You place in my heart. Thank You for silence in which You speak loud and clear to me! Awaken my ears to Your voice, and let me not be silenced when your words need to be spoken!

Resurrection

There is not much to say when confronted with the truth of resurrection. Someone who once was dead becomes alive again! It must have been an amazingly mind twisting experience to see Jesus alive after all they watched Him go through.

I cannot imagine words that could express the awe, confusion and maybe even fear as the disciples looked upon the face of the One they saw beaten, crucified and buried. Looking into His eyes, they looked upon God! What can you say to the one with power over sin and death?

God Almighty, Lord of all, Savior and Redeemer, You silence my every argument. You silence even my agreements! Yet, I must speak out Your praise! I must share Your Good News! My words are weak and fail to completely expose Your love for all people. Thank You for taking my feeble words and allowing them to be the vessel of Your Holy Spirit who speaks truth and wisdom into the hearts of those willing to listen. Let my words be the altar on which You alone are glorified!

Four Days

It has been four days since my last post. Yes, busier than usual days. house cleaning, concert, family dinner, final Significant Woman study, and every day activities filled my schedule. The blog was not a priority.

We have four days to prepare for Resurrection Sunday! I am preparing my heart to understand the love of God deeper than before. I am preparing my heart to share the love of God , His forgiveness and His soon coming to those who need to know Him.

I want to celebrate the events of the four last days of Jesus' life here on earth with greater understanding and deeper worship. From Celebrating the Passover with His disciples, to His trial, death and glorious resurrection Jesus, poured out His love, His blood, His life for all people!

Four days. What does God want me to do, what will He reveal to me in these next four days?

Father, You are so patient and perfect. You precisely planned every minute of those four last days of Jesus' earthly life so that they would be full of meaning and purpose for all people. I fail to see the importance of those precious minutes most of the time. I allow the world and the cares of my heart to crowd out the most important and most wonderful events that were meant for me. Thank You. Thank You for humbling Yourself in those four days, so that I might be lifted out of my sin and be united with You for eternity. Open my eyes, open my ears, open my heart so that I might see YOU in these next four days before I celebrate Resurrection Sunday! I want a new revelation of You, my Lord!