CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!
Rejoicing in the name of our Redeemer we pray. Amen.
Showing posts with label Resurrection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resurrection. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 March 2016
EASTER! REJOICING IN CHRIST'S RESURRECTION 27.3.16
Rejoicing in the name of our Redeemer we pray. Amen.
Sunday, 5 April 2015
EASTER: RESURRECTION MORNING WORSHIP ! 5.4.15
Christ is Risen indeed !
Psalm 30.12
JOY and Hallelujah!
every day for the remainder of our earth life ...
*
Acts 10.34-43 ~ Isaiah 25.6-9 ~ Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 ~
~ John 20. 1-18 ~
[click to link directly to passage- multiple versions avlbl ]
~
this Joyous Easter Day!
including links if you'd appreciate our visit.]
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Ascension Day and God's Favourite Place on Earth - A Review
Today I'm posting a timely review of
'God's Favorite Place on Earth' by Frank Viola
in light of his insights on Christ's Ascension
and the effects it can have on our own life as Christ followers.
The Day of Christ's Ascension to Heaven
culminated 40 days of witness to His earthly presence
following His Resurrection.
Witnessed by His disciples and followers.
Verified by two heavenly messengers after His Ascension.
How does this affect our lives today?
A book of
comfort. A book of challenge.
I had never
realized the amount of time Jesus spent in Bethany prior to reading
Viola’s newest release, God’s Favorite Place.
Viola presents a good case for Jesus’ attachment to the people and the
place that captured his favour. People
who welcomed and received Christ, providing hospitality, honour, friendship and love. All responses we are encouraged to offer as
our own Bethany invitation to Christ.
To move past
performance mentality of serving as exemplified by Martha at our initial
glimpse into this home in Bethany. To
pursue relational living with the Lord as seen in Mary ‘s response. Casting aside gender and cultural restraints
to be who she is called to be, Mary leaves propriety to wholeheartedly invest
herself, her time, her efforts for the worth that is Christ. A worth that increased in her relational
pursuit, culminating in the ointment poured upon the object of her affection,
her heart’s desire, her Lord. Viola would
that we recognize Mary’s ‘waste’ and make it our own. Recognize that what religion and religious of
our day consider service or ministry is
often the real ‘waste’ when worship is
God’s heart cry for his friends to follow...
This
particular point also spoke to a recent conversation on property ownership
vs
communal living where all things are shared.
Christ never suggested personal property ownership was sinful. Mary’s fragrant offering was hers to give,
revealing a heart of generosity. She
owned the perfume; the perfume, valuable as it undeniably was, did not own
her. There’s the heart of the
issue. For the rich young ruler, his
personally owned property owned his heart.
Thus, Jesus’ solution to his particular issue wasn’t a wholesale
solution or command to every follower.
We’re called to have Mary hearts of worth and worship toward our
Saviour, whatever our financial situation.
A beautifully novelized telling from Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, of their times
spent with their friend, Yeshua Jesus.
Insights gained from those times, his own death and resurrection
foretelling Christ’s own. The deathbed
counsel of his so-called friends reminiscent of Job’s counsellors; definitely
some sin in there somewhere Lazarus! Or some lack of Christ’s abilities or
heart toward you. How common to the
religious minded to confront and affront another, all, supposedly, in service to
Christ.
But not in the truth of Christ's Spirit of Love and Compassion.
Mercy that fails not.
Thought provoking and life changing challenges from Viola, if allowed to search
and cleanse our own heart; to move us toward becoming a Bethany that welcomes
and creates sanctuary for Christ and His nature to become our self-image.
Rich with
narrative, scripture background to each chapter, and
practical applications
such as our position in prayer.
Beggars coming
before God?
Or from the place of
ascendancy provided through Christ’s ascension?
Are we seated with Christ in heavenly places?
Or still lacking boldness to enter God's throne of Grace
through the completed work of Christ in His death, resurrection and
Ascension?
A book to inspirit new perspectives in living
out the Bethany experience as well as invitation to make our churches Bethany communities
that welcome and promote Christ in relation and reality.
Highly
recommended for those who are pursuing more than religious form and function,
those
who desire to live an ascendant life,
or those who are curious.
published May 1. 2013 by David C Cook
208 pages pb and ebook
*David C Cook provided me an ebook copy to read and review without obligation.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
Easter JoY !
Easter
“Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!”
The Alleluia of Easter
while living in a Good Friday world,
King David’s words resonate with me increasingly
as I near the day of celebration.
Caspar David Friedrich 1833
My Lenten journey has been long
as I’ve plumbed new depths of relationship
with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Spiritual discoveries gained through exploration
of new directions led by Holy Spirit,
that voice behind me saying,
"This is the way you should go,”” Is 30.21.
From the very inception of this Lenten journey
I have been led on a new path.
Not a common path of caffeine or sugar sacrifice;
A path of inner recognition; a path of listening and hearing;
a path of relational focus;
An uncommon path of sacrificing distractions.
I was impelled to answer the searching gaze that queried,
“What is keeping you occupied?
What has your attention?
Your focus? Your heart?”
Which is, of course, what God is always pursuing;
our heart. My heart in this case.
And was it a worthy focus? A worthy occupation?
These attractions; these distractions
that so cleverly kept my attention?
Anaesthetizing me to the very relationship
to which I’m called and for which I’m created.
The questions searched the depths of me; my core.
Which they must if I am to be changed.
To be transformed.
To be conformed to the image
of the One who designed and desires me as His own.
And so the journey continues.
Hearing, now that I’m listening.
Listening, now that I’m hearing.
The joy and beauty of a developing love relationship.
How do we fall in love?
By spending time together.
Which is exactly what this Lenten journey has provided. Focused time – together.
Time intentionally redirected to God.
Sitting in His Presence.
Reading and re-reading His love letters.
Conversation. Notes taken in those conversations.
Ah hah moments of revelation.
Resting in His embrace.
Gratitude and reflection.
Contemplation of beauty – His beauty.
Of person, heart, love, nature.
‘Altogether lovely’, isn’t He described in scripture?
And I’ve - we’ve – been invited
to discover this loveliness for ourselves.
And so I enter into Easter.
Into this celebration of joy.
Focused. Intentional.
Undivided in heart and attention.
In heart satisfying relationship with my Saviour.
And with all Easter people I joyfully proclaim,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!
Alleluia!
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Saturday, 30 March 2013
Holy Saturday 3.30.13
Christ humbled himself still more
by becoming obedient even to death —
death on a stake as a criminal!
Therefore God raised him to the highest place
and gave Him the name above every name
by becoming obedient even to death —
death on a stake as a criminal!
Therefore God raised him to the highest place
and gave Him the name above every name
Philippians 2.8-9
O God,
Creator of heaven and earth,
as the crucified body of your dear Son
was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath,
so may we await with Him the coming of the third day,
and rise with Him to newness of life;
Who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Readings:
{click reference to link directly to scripture}
Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
easter ...
of all the Easter pictures
and
messages i viewed,
this is THE ONE
that says it ALL!
may it be for you the ultimate
JOY and Hallelujah!
every day
for the remainder of your earth life...
click the tab below
to share the loveliest Easter message
to share the loveliest Easter message
{for you from me :)}
{sorry the pix don't show until tab is clicked}
more Easter Celebrations at
Spiritual Sundays with Charlotte and Ginger
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