Katch-up Monday....

I can't hardly believe it's the middle of June already. Where does the time go? I don't know about you but my days seem to rocket by. I really want the summer days to be long, lazy, and I want Summer to last at least 6 months. 

To Catch you up on life at our house. 

1. I ordered and received seeds for the Garden. 

2. We are planting a garden

3. We are NOT planting a garden

4. We Are planting a garden

5. We are NOT planting a garden.

6. I give up. I have no idea if we are or are not. The winter left our garden spot floating. The wet spring has let it floating and soggy and spongy wet. It finally dried up a bit and now is hard as concrete. So I'm guessing no garden this year. Hubby's back has gotten worse over the past couple of years. He just can't horse that tiller around anymore. I hate not having a garden. I love watching it grow and I love putting it up. So healthy for us and so much tastier then store processed stuff. 

7. A new Farmer's market opened in May about 3 miles from us. I've been there at least once a week. I'm hoping it will fill in for most of the garden stuff. We are already getting brown eggs from hormone free, free Range/wandering in the yard Chickens. Love it. 

8. Only two graduations, kids from Church, to celebrate this year. Loved helping with one open house last weekend. 

9. So far no weddings or babies on the way in the family. 

10. One baby on the way at Church.  wooo hoooo 

11. I've actually been to see 3 or 4 movies at a real theater as opposed to red box rentals in my living room, so far this year. :-)  

12. Still not sitting out in the yard yet. Vampire Mosquitoes, as our Pastor refers to them, would carry us away. I am hoping for a few evenings sitting out there with ice tea. Maybe even a bon-fire or 3. 

13. I'm secretly hoping for a trip south to Ky. this year sometime. I'm not telling anyone, so shhhh I don't want to jinx it. 

14. I'm craving fair food. you know.. sweet deep fried yummy-ness 

15. The Awana program at Church ended, but our Summer kids program has started. 

16. Looking forward to VBS in July. I'm the Snack lady. I love it. 

17. I have a new Soldier I'm packing boxes for at our group meetings. He's a cousin. One I haven't had a chance to meet yet. I'm really looking forward to meeting him when he gets home, and hugging his neck. 

18. I am hoping to take a few overnight trips this summer. 

19. I'd really love to go fishing. I miss it. 

20. We spent father's day with my hubby filling our faces with yummy food.. 

That's it for now. Hoping your summer slows down and let's you savor it .....  

Oh Say Can You See On This Memorial Day....

On This Memorial Day 2014, I'm thinking of a day way back in 1814 When a young man wrote our National Anthem. I'm sure you're probably thinking "Uh Karen, today is Memorial day, It's got nothing to do with the Star spangled Banner". 

You would be partially right. The song was written during the Battle of Fort McHenry. That has nothing to do with Memorial Day, but what you may not know is something happened during that battle that would show the lengths to which our forefathers would go to fight for Freedom and birth a new Nation. 

Prior to the Battle beginning that day the message had been sent to the Commander of the Fort that they need only lower the flag, and that would signal their total Surrender. That would end the war and the British would win. The men at the Fort knew what would happen if the flag fell. Their New Nation would fall. The soldiers made a commitment that day that our Military still makes today. The Flag would Not Fall. 

The Flag and the flag pole were hit by the rockets that night. As some of those Soldiers close to the Flag were gravely injured they would use their body's to prop the flag pole up. In the morning their dead bodies were found lying atop each other making sure that Flag did not fall. That same Love of Freedom, Country, and our Flag motivate our young men and women to make that same kind of commitment today.

I hope as you head out to the beach today or BBQ with family and friends you will take a moment to reflect on the day. I hope you will take a moment to remember the sacrifice of family members, of those who have lived in your community, or those who've had books  about them written or movies made. Remember their sacrifice. 

If you would like to read more about the Story behind the star spangled banner you can click on the link below. 

The story behind the star spangled Banner: http://www.historybuff.com/newsletter/july08.html

"Francis Scott Key, a Baltimore lawyer at the time, visited the enemy's fleet the day prior to the bombardment of Fort McHenry. He went aboard the ship to attempt to secure the release of a Maryland doctor, who had been abducted by the British after they left Washington. The lawyer was able to get the commander to agree to release the prisoner Dr. Beanes, but not until the next day and they both had to remain on board their ship until then. The commander also told them that they would be bombarding Fort McHenry that night. The fort commander was sent word to the Fort McHenry Commander, that whenever they wanted to surrender, all they had to do was lower the United States flag. As long as the flag was flying, the bombardment would continue. However, once they lowered the flag, it meant total surrender and the British would win the war.
An eerie silence fell across the early morning darkness and the young Baltimore attorney breathed a sigh of relief. It was after 1 A.M. on the morning of September 14, 1814 and it was the first time in more than 18 hours that things had been quiet. Since 7 A.M. of the previous day more than 1,800 bombs, cannonballs, and the new Congreve rockets had lit the sky and shattered the peaceful harbor. From the deck of his sloop behind the enemy fleet, the young Baltimore attorney breathed a sigh of relief. The flag was still there! 

Upon discussing the previous night with survivors of the great battle, he learned just how much keeping the flag flying had meant to the soldiers. The flag itself was hit many times and had holes in it. In addition, several times through the night a cannon ball had hit the flag pole. It was hit enough times that the pole was actually leaning and in danger of toppling over. Brave men rushed to the pole to help prop it up with their bodies and arms. When one man holding the flagpole up was shot, another was ready to take his place. This is how they kept the flag flying all night!" 

Nothing Compares...

I was just listening to one of my favorite songs by "Third Day".  

"Nothing Compares"

You can find it here. 

Here are the Lyrics: 

I've heard all the stories

I've seen all the signs

Witnessed all the glory

Tasted all that's fine

• Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

  Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

  
  

  I see all the people

  Wasting all their time

  Building up their riches

  For a life that's fine

  
  

  I find myself just living for today

  'Cause I don't know what

  Tomorrow's gonna bring

  So no matter if I rise or fall

  I'll never be alone, oh no
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nothing compares to God's Love for me and you. 

Nothing compares to the Promises He has made to us. 

Nothing compares to His sacrifice for us. 

Nothing compares to knowing Him. To having a real relationship with Him. 

Nothing Compares !!!

Holy Week Pt 8.. He Is Risen...

Wow.. The past week has flown by. The Women have made preparations to take spices and prepare Jesus' body. Remember the Sabbath was about to start and the women had to wait till the first day of the week.

I'll bet the women took their time walking to the burial place. I know I wouldn't have been in any hurry to get there. All that blood and now they needed to bath their Master's body along with the other preparations using spices. No, I don't think they hurried to the tomb. I bet they walked a little slowly.  

I can't imagine their shock at finding the stone rolled away. they knew it had been there. Some of them were there when Joesph of Arimathia had placed the body in the tomb. They had seen the Stone rolled in place. I'm sure in the early morning they were hoping at least one of the Soldiers posted there could move the stone for them. 

*Luke 23:55-56

55As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Luke 24:1-12 NIV

The Resurrection

1But very early on Sunday morning^a the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

5The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man^b must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

8Then they remembered that he had said this. 9So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.12However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

I Can't imagine their shock as they saw that stone rolled away. I can just see Mary running inside. I'll bet their first thoughts were that someone had taken Their Lord in the night. How could they do such a thing.. But then 2 men suddenly appeared and asked why they were looking for the living among the dead "He isn't here! He is risen from the dead !...   

Could it be true? Really True, Jesus had risen from the dead. I'm sure they immediately remembered all the times Jesus has eluded to it. They hadn't really understood it then, but now, oh my, could it really be true..  

I love that these ladies Rushed back to the upper room. I bet a couple of them had all they could do to keep from running back. They told the disciples and they scoffed. They didn't believe it. Those poor women were so grief stricken that they were imagining things. Peter Jumped up and ran to the tomb to look for himself. He peeked inside and saw the empty linen wrappings. He walked back to that upper room wondering what had happened.. 

What had happened? Was it just the crazy talk Of some hysterical women. The body was gone. The stone had been moved. Peter did see it for himself. So what had happened. What if the women were right? What if Jesus had risen from the dead?  He had called the dead to life. They had seen him do it. Lazarus had walked out of his tomb still wrapped in the burial cloths. How was it possible. He was dead. Really dead. 

They would soon see Jesus for themselves. They would talk to Him. See his hands and feet, and know it was really their King. 

Jesus Appears to the Disciples  Luke 24: 35-49

35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he ate it as they watched.

44Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,^f beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48You are witnesses of all these things.

49“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

 Those things that Jesus had said came flooding back to the disciples. Jesus not only appeared to them, but to others also. He had finished the work His father God had given Him. He had paid the price. He had taken on the sin of the world. He had taken the wrath of His Father and bore it so that when we believed on Him and repented of our sin, We would no longer be condemned. 

The amazing thing about all this was that Jesus didn't die for just those who had gone before Him or for just those of that time. The promise of Salvation and Redemption was planned for all people who would come after Him. All of Mankind for all time. 

My prayer this Easter is that you know the freedom of that Salvation. That you have repented of your Sin, and that you've asked Christ to come into your life and be Lord/Boss over you. If you have never done this. You can do it right now right where you are. Yes, even reading this Blog post. Just talk right to God. just like you'd talk to a dear friend. Acknowledge your sin. Ask God to forgive you. Believe that Jesus died to take the punishment for you and your sin. that He rose again to conquer death and the grave. Tell God you want Jesus to come be the Lord of your life.  This sounds simple and may even sound a bit foolish to you. You may not even understand how all this works. You don't have to. just do it. Then find a Bible Believing Church. Tell folks what you've done. If you've been part of a Church go speak to your Pastor. Get involved in Bible study. Learn what God says in His word and how you can apply it to your everyday life.  

I'm praying for you. The Message of Holy Week is one of Amazing Grace, and Unfailing Love. Don't miss it.. Declare it with me Every day of your Life.. 

He is Risen...  

Holy Week pt. 7... I Will Trust God Even In The Silence..

It's the Sabbath. 

Jesus was crucified yesterday. Only the night before the disciples had shared a meal with him. Fear had kept most of them in hiding. I think most of them returned to the upper room. I'm sure there was no sleep. I'll bet some paced while others checked the windows and doors to see if a mob was coming for them. I can see a couple of the disciples retelling what they had seen at that awful place. Golgotha just the name was terrifying the skull. quite an appropriate name for the place where criminals were executed. 

I'm sure they remembered Jesus' words about leaving them and preparing a place for them. I bet even now His words were racing through their minds as they struggled to understand what all this meant. I can just see them praying for hours and asking the Father for direction. I'll bet the Silence was deafening.  
We have to remember they didn't have the Holy Spirit yet. There was no still small voice reassuring them that all was well. There was no Bible laying on the coffee table. No voice directing them what step to take next. No feelings of comfort or encouragement. Their world was dark but worst of all it was silent. 

I don't know about you, but I don't like silent. I like noise. We play the TV or radio all day just to have the noise. I loved the busyness and noise of the house when our Susan was still living at home. Nope I don't like silence, and I really don't like silence from God. I'm sure we've all experienced those times of Silence. I know of a few times when I've been praying for something and asking for direction, or confirmation, or even intervention, and all I hear is silence. 

God has taught me that's when I need to Trust Him. It's not easy, and it's definitely not fun. Waiting in silence. Yuck. This is the same thing the disciples were doing. Waiting in the Silence. 

It's the Sabbath, and that's good. No one will be thinking about them, not yet. they still have time to make plans to leave, but where would they go. Should they all just head for their respective homes? They had left parents and jobs. They had no money. Not enough to make a journey. Should they split up. What should they do. Silence. Maybe they would hear some news from the city soon. The women had made plans to go and prepare Jesus' body for burial. They hadn't had time on Friday. Maybe they could find out something that would be useful in their decision making. I bet they discussed this, and decided that no one would bother the women. 

So they waited, In the dark of that upper room. In the silence.  

Holy Week pt.6 The Crucifixion of Jesus

 Luke 23: 26-43  The Trial is over. The accusations have been made. The beatings are done, the sentence has been handed down, and it's Death, but don't think for a moment that the torture is over. 

There is no ease for those being crucified. I can't imagine anything more barbaric. I can't wrap my mind around it. I know that for me all those pretty images of Jesus on the cross, Jesus before Pilate, and Jesus walking behind Simon, the man who carried his cross, were to sterile. They never made me think for one moment how Bloody this whole ordeal was. when I watched Mel Gibson's movie " The Passion Of The Christ" (you can see an exert here.) I never realized the horror of that day. It's almost to much to comprehend. 

"He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed."
Isa. 53:5

There were many things that happened after Jesus was nailed to the cross. There was the conversation with John to take care of his mother. Even with all that was going on Jesus wanted to make sure his mother was cared for. The guards gambled for his clothes. There were crowds of people still passing by the hill and watching the Crucifixion. There were 3 dying on that hill today. They were visible from the road. I can just imagine the insults and curses that were hurled at Jesus especially with the sign above his head reading "King of the Jews". 

One of the things that took place was a brief conversation between Jesus and the two thieves on the crosses on either side of him. Luke 23: 32-43. One of the men hurled insults at Jesus saying "Aren't you suppose to be the Messiah, save yourself and us." The other thief saw things a different way. 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I can relate to the second thief. I'm glad to know it's never to late ask God for forgiveness. Think about it. That thief didn't have to get perfect, buy a new suit and go to Church. He didn't have to do anything to get to Heaven other then have sorrow for his sin. I think that sorrow was also an acknowledgement of his sin and knowing he had a need for God's forgiveness. That was it. There was nothing else required. If there had been, Jesus couldn't have told him that Today, he would be with him. 

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

I can't imagine the pain, but I really think the most painful thing for Jesus was when His Father God turned away from Him. They were separated just like our sin separates us from God and keeps us from Heaven. There is so much more we could talk about here. You may have even heard sermons on the last words of Christ along with many other things. Even if you've only attended a Christian Church on Easter you have heard some of the same things discussed. 

Really when it's all said and done it all comes down to a couple of very basic things. The only plan of Salvation for mankind was to send Jesus to make the sacrifice for sin. Someone perfect had to take on the sin of all men for all time. The required sacrifice was to pay the penalty in Blood. The only way to purchase/Redeem mankind was for Jesus to die and be that sacrifice. He took our place so we could spend our Eternity with God.

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. 

It was finished. Our Salvation was complete, But that's not what the disciples and the followers of Christ saw. No one understood all this yet. All they knew was that Jesus was dead. Their leader, Teacher, son, friend, confidant, healer, was dead. Their world really had come apart. They looked at the body of their Master and lost all hope. What now? They had no idea. I think the disciples headed back to that upper room. Plans needed to be made, 

but the Sabbath was about to begin. It was Friday. 

Holy Week pt. 5..The Sentence Is Death

 It's been a long night for Jesus and the disciples. Jesus has endured more questioning. he was even sent to see King Herod (Luke 23: 1-12) 

Herod was thrilled to see this Jesus, He'd heard about him and wanted to see him do a miracle. He wanted a show. He wanted proof that Jesus was who people said he was. He plied him with questions, but Jesus answered none of them. The Chief priests continued to accuse him, but Jesus said nothing. 

I can't tell you the number of times I've heard people say,"if there is a God, prove it".  they want a show. Maybe it's our culture. We want to be entertained. We like the show part. the big audacious costumes, bright lights, and some kind of super cool attraction. It seems the times and the cultures really make no difference. We want to be entertained. Herod wanted it. I can just hear him" oh come on Jesus, show me something. Here is water, turn it into wine. 

i had the album "Jesus Christ Superstar" growing up. One of my favorite songs was when Jesus went to see Herod. I love the verse " So if you are the Christ, the great Jesus Christ, prove to me that you're no fool, walk across my swimming pool". (you can here it here.)  wow, how many times have we asked for some kind of proof that Jesus is who he says he is ? Jesus said nothing. He did nothing. Herod quickly tired of him. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus. They placed a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 

Pilate called together the Chief priests, rulers and the people. He told them that he and Herod could find no reason to execute this man. He'd just have him whipped and let him go. The whole crowd in a demanding voice yelled "Crucify him, Crucify him. Finally after offering Jesus or Barabbas to the people. The people chose Barabbas, a murderer to go free. Pilate granted their wish and surrendered Jesus to their will.  (Luke 23: 13-25) 

As things had progressed during the night and into the early morning hours I think a few of Jesus' followers remained with the large crowd to see what was going to happen. I can see them trying to blend into the crowd, hanging back, not wanting anyone to see their faces so as to associate them with Jesus. I think the women may have tried to stay as close to the front of the crowd as they could get. Especially Mary, Jesus' mother. Her child was in real danger. I'm sure her memories wandered to that day the angel appeared and told her she would have a child. That his name would be Jesus and he would save his people from their sins. I imagine that she saw him now as that little boy running from his father's carpenter shop with something he'd just made with his dad. I'll bet she remembered the first miracle Jesus preformed at the wedding when the wine had run out and she asked for his help. I can't imagine his mom being anywhere but as close as she could get to him. I wonder if Jesus scanned the crowd to look for her. I'll bet he did. The son in him would do that. I'm sure he hoped she was not there. I'll bet he hoped one of his disciples had taken her away somewhere so she wouldn't have to watch the beatings or see the blood. I'll bet secretly though in his heart, when he saw his mom, he felt better. 

it's still early on Friday morning. Jesus knows that later today he will die. The plan was made long ago. The time to fulfill the promise of a Savior had come. The next few hours were going to be filled with torture and pain. He knew, and yet He stayed steadfast. He didn't beg for his life, he didn't demand an attorney. He didn't spit on the people who spit on him. I can just see him looking out at the crowd with love and forgiveness..  yes, it's still early on Friday morning and death will soon come.