HE'S ALIVE! HE'S SALT AND LIGHT!

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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Let's push ourselves to do some transformational thinking today! Take a few minutes to read the starter list. There are well over 100 uses of light and salt. Do some pondering. The real purpose here is to see what light and salt do in our spiritual lives. Here goes:
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LIGHT....

1. Illuminates


2. Melts


3. Heals

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SALT...

1. Flavors


2. Melts


3. Cleanses

JESUS IN ME...

1. illuminates His Glory, The Way, The Truth, The Life...


2. flavors life


3. melts hearts


4. heals my wounds


5. cleanses me from sin
   

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Okay, now it's your turn! Click on comments and leave a few more numbered uses of your own. If you do not have a blogger or email account, you can just sign in on your comment as anonymous.

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HE'S ALIVE! HOW'S YOUR CONNECTION? ARE YOU PLUGGED IN?

This post is where the rubber meets the road after the last 3 1/2 months of our study on this blog. Today, I pray that you "get" the concepts - if you have not already. ..
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Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount with 9 "Be-attitudes" and then some profound statements that follow immediately. Before we go through them, there is one concept that I want you to comprehend...it's foundational:
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It is not your job or mine

to grow the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

That is the Holy Spirit's job!

Your job and mine is to be a vessel

for the planting, watering,

and growth of that fruit.

The result is one amazing Holy Spirit fruit

that is very flavorful

and radiates light

in a dark and tasteless world.

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The 9 BE-ATTITUDES

give us a basic guide

on how to stay plugged in to

the Holy Spirit power source

so that He can grow His fruit

within you and me!

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MATTHEW 5:1-16

"Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

SELFLESS: I "get" that life is not about me! Being "poor in spirit" takes me "pouring" myself out at Jesus' feet.








2. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

SINNER TO SINLESS: I "get" that I need to take sin seriously! I hate it enough to mourn over my sins and the sins of this lost world AND do something about it!








3. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."


UNSUBMISSIVE TO SUBMISSIVE: Meek does not mean weak! It means "power under control". Who's in control? Who takes the lead? I "get" that I must TRUST and OBEY and allow the Holy Spirit of God to lead me and guide my life!








4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

UNSATISFIED TO SATISFIED: I "get" that the only thing that truly satisfies is righteousness! How long can I go without spiritual food before my family can tell? My co-workers can tell? Before I am spiritually anoerexic? Spiritual nutrition from the WORD satisfies!








5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

EMPATHY, NOT SYMPATHY: I "get" that everyone needs to be honored and understood. To be known is to be loved (warts and all!). Love covers a multitude of sins!







6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. "

SPIRITUAL: I need a heart transplant! I "get" that I need the heart of Jesus! Make me holy, for You are holy! What comes out of my mouth comes from the heart.







7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

EXTENDING SALVATION: Reaching out to connect the hands of mankind to the hand of God. Give a cup of water in Jesus name OR how about a bowl of chicken soup OR some turkeys:) (see yesterday's post)! I "get" that I need to reach out to others to help them know where true peace comes from!








8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

SUFFERING SERVANT: "Without testing, there is not testimony!" We are part of the body of Christ, yet often persecution from within destroys like cancer does the physical body. I "get" that I must make it my goal to please God alone!








9. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

SMILING, SINGING, SUFFERING, SERVANT SLAVE: What do I do when I am squeezed? I "get" that the stuff that is on the inside of me will come out when I get squeezed: rejoicing, thankfulness, honoring God and others no matter what the circumstances. In 2 Chronicles 20, God told His people to trust, obey, and sing and He would fight the battle! (not trust, obey, and be anxious!)

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So, are you plugged in?

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If you are...

then, you already shine!

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If you aren't shining,

then get plugged in!!!

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(see Be-attitudes 1-9)

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The verses following the Be-attitudes:

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"You are the salt of the earth.

But if the salt loses its saltiness,

how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything,

except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and

put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven. "

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Are you plugged in to the TRUE POWER SOURCE?
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He's powerful! He's the LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
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No one will be saved by any other name than His: JESUS!
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HE'S ALIVE! HE IS LIFE AND LIGHT!

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What do the following have in common?

• celebrating Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection?
  
• a baby girl born in Chicago?
  
• someone's husband being honored at the Pentagon?
  
• a gift of 1200 turkeys in South Jersey?

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I'm overflowing with thankfulness for them all!!!!

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1. Although I believe that my life is to be lived out daily as a celebration in honor of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection AND that every Sunday I gather with christians to take communion to focus on remembering what Christ has done for us...there is still something very special about Easter. Spring has sprung! There's more hours of light! Jesus has indeed risen! Thank you, God, for the signs of resurrection and NEW LIFE all around!
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2. Last Thursday, our oldest son's wife gave birth to their first child...our first grandchild: Chloe Mae... Thank you, God, for this NEW LIFE!
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3. Today, transformed mom, Vanessa's husband Brad will receive an award at the Pentagon from a 3 Star General! The award?

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Civilian of the Quarter
for the Headquarters of
United States Air Force
Deputy Chief of Staff
for Logistics,
Installations
and Mission Support

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This means that in the midst of working with many much older than he is, Brad has shown a superior committment and service via his 32 year old Christ-like servant heart. We're SO super proud of you, Brad!! Thank you for modeling your life after the chiefest of servants. Thank you, Vanessa, for going way over the top in supporting Brad in this appointment to DC for the past two years.

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We've been studying Christ's "Be-attitude's" on this blog. He follows them up by saying that people who live the "Be-attitude's" are salt and the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Thank You, God, for the LIFE of Brad and the LIFE of Vanessa. Thank You, God, for allowing Brad and Vanessa to stay plugged in to You, so that they can be salt and LIGHT to their world!

4. Turkeys in South Jersey! A distributor had 1,200 to give away to people in need. The Pitman church of Christ said, "Bring 'em on! We can give them away to people in need!" I'm not sure what the final count was, but someone said most of the turkeys weighed 20 lbs. I carried a few and they were heavy! How many tons of turkey is that?!??! Thank You, God, for the opportunity for us to be salt and LIGHT to an impoverished world! May each LIFE that is touched by this gift come to know You and the NEW LIFE that You give!

For more about BABY CHLOE go to: http://jordandjacqueline.blogspot.com/

For more about Brad and Vanessa go to: http://nessamomof3.blogspot.com/

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HE'S ALIVE! THE LIGHT IS ON! WE'RE SAFE!

MEDITATION MONDAY

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Have you ever had a terrible or difficult experience happen to you? Have you ever had an extremely happy ending to one of those difficult circumstances?

• I remember screaming my prayers to the LORD, "God, only you can save us!" It was a terrible situation. In 1986, Steve was driving a Uhaul truck, in Illinois on interstate 70, headed west. The truck had stalled in a blinding rainstorm. Two cars full of my sister, her husband, 3 of our little ones (ages 1, almost 3, and 5), and me were right behind. It was almost impossible to see. It was a mathematical certainty that we would be hit from behind. Yet, as we all prayed, something surreal happened. It was as if time stood still and a wall of protection was built. Yes! A semi-truck driver had alerted those behind him and they had somehow built a wall of protection behind and around us. The cars began to whiz by and we were spared. All we could do was praise God and scream, "WE'RE SAFE!"



• I recall, as I'm sure many do, back in the spring of 1976, Steve and I were teaching in York, Nebraska when the "blizzard of the century" came through! Our whole town, county, and a big part of the state were left without electricity for a week. The ice had been too heavy for the power lines and poles. Everything came to a standstill. I remember going into a classroom building and dormitory at York College and being shocked at how dark it was. Oh, how great was the shout when the electricity came back on, "THEY'RE ON! THE LIGHTS ARE ON!"



• I wasn't there the day someone very special to us "died on the elevator at the hospital". A hospital representative told the family. Yet, a little while later they came in saying, "HE'S NOT DEAD! HE'S ALIVE!"

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I can only imagine the great shouts from the disciples when they knew that Jesus was indeed alive! "HE'S ALIVE!"

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That day meant so much to you and me!

• He had died, been crucified, and Satan thought that he had won. Yet, Jesus rose out of the tomb, and He is still with us, works through us, and lives in us! "HE'S ALIVE!"


• Our Savior did it! He accomplished what He came to do...save us! "WE'RE SAFE!"


• The Illuminator of how to lead THE BLESSED LIFE, showed us how to live, die, and rise again. He showed us how to be light to a dark world! "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS ON!"
  

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This week we will begin a discussion on how Jesus is LIGHT and SALT and LIFE through His SAVED people. Please meditate today on the verses that come right after the "Be-attitudes". Jesus is saying that once a person is living the "Be-attitudes", she is plugged in to the power source. She's blessed! She's alive! She's light and salt!

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Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth;

but if the salt has become tasteless,

how will it be made salty again?

It is good for nothing anymore,

except to be thrown out

and trampled under foot by men.

"You are the light of the world.

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

"Nor do men light a lamp,

and put it under the peck-measure,

but on the lampstand;

and it gives light to all who are in the house.

"Let your light shine before men

in such a way that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

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HE'S ALIVE!!!

Friday's gone

And, Sunday's come!

It's SUNDAY IN THE SON!

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Be blessed by the song and the video!

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He's Alive!

by Don Francisco

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The gates and doors were barred And all the windows fastened down

I spent the night in sleeplessness And rose at every sound

Half in hopeless sorrowAnd half in fear the day

Would find the soldiers breakin' through To drag us all away

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And just before the sunriseI heard something at the wall

The gate began to rattle And a voice began to call

I hurried to the window Looked down into the street

Expecting swords and torches And the sound of soldiers' feet

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But there was no one there but Mary So I went down to let her in

John stood there beside me As she told me where she'd been

She said they might have moved Him in the night

And none of us knows where

The stone's been rolled away And now His body isn't there

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We both ran toward the garden Then John ran on ahead

We found the stone and empty tomb Just the way that Mary said

But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in Was just an empty shell

And how or where they'd taken Him Was more than I could tell

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Oh something strange had happened there Just what I did not know

John believed a miracle But I just turned to go

Circumstance and speculation Couldn't lift me very high

'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him Then I saw Him die

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Back inside the house again The guilt and anguish came

Everything I'd promised Him Just added to my shame

When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His name

And even if He was alive It wouldn't be the same

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But suddenly the air was filled With a strange and sweet perfume

Light that came from everywhere Drove the shadows from the room

And Jesus stood before me With his arms held open wide

And I fell down on my knees And I just clung to Him and cried

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Then He raised me to my feet And as I looked into His eyes

The love was shining out from Him Like sunlight from the skies

Guilt in my confusion Dissappeared in sweet release

And every fear I'd ever had Just melted into peace

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He's alive!

Yes! He's alive!

Yes! He's alive!

And I'm forgiven!

Heaven's gates are open wide!

He's alive!

Yes! He's alive!

Oh! He's alive!

And I'm forgiven!

Heaven's gates are open wide!

He's alive!

yes He's alive!

Hallelujah! He's alive!

He's alive!

And I'm forgiven!

Heaven's gates are open wide!

He's alive!

He's alive!

He's alive!

I believe it!

He's alive!

Sweet Jesus!

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http://gigattaattgig.blogspot.com/

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CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST...THE SONG SAYS "DAILY DYING" AND "PIERCING PURPOSE"

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do

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There's usually a different mix of women each week who go to lunch after our Tuesday morning Patriarchs Bible study. This week there were about 12 of us at Wendy's (plus kids). I'm bummed! My pictures will not download off of my camera! Brenda and Lexi were visiting and we had a b-day celebration for Lexi. The kids all wore matching hats. It was great fun! You're missing out not seeing the pics!
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Well, if you haven't heard by now... I'm a first time Grandmother! Baby Chloe was born on Thursday evening. Oh, Steve and I have lots of ideas about spending time with Chloe. Of course, part of getting to know her and her getting to know us will to understand what each of our preferences are. I wonder if she'll want KETCHUP or MUSTARD on her Sonic Burger?!!!? Hmmmm!!!

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If you haven't yet read about Chloe, I invite you to read yesterday's post: FRIDAY'S HERE! SUNDAY'S COMING!
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Have you listened to this week's song? Really listened? Many of the words send shivers up my spine. I read somewhere that this song was voted as the number one christian song of the '90's. It is very convicting! The words 'DAILY DYING' and 'PIERCING PURPOSE' have struck me each day as I've listened and relistened to it.
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As we finish out the "Be-attitudes" and head on to the next few verses in Matthew chapter 5. I'd like to tell you part of a true story that has been taking place over the past few months. It's a story that is inspirational.
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Jordan's wife, Jacqueline (Chloe's mommy) has a best friend from college who went over to Austria to do mission work. I'll call her "S". "S" met a young man there and they married. He had trouble getting a visa to come to the US. She became pregnant with their first child and as the due date approached (a little before Jacqueline's) she traveled back to the US to have the baby here. She found a job working at an agency that placed "unwanted babies" with adoptive parents. The plan was for her husband to follow as soon as it could be arranged. Instead, he was never cleared to come. Their baby died in utero in January.
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I have wept and prayed for "S", for her being able to reunite permanently with her husband, for her strength in her job, and for her relationship with Jacqueline to remain strong. Over the last few months, I have gone to "S's" Facebook page and seen that she has posted different status' about herself. This young lady understands about "DAILY DYING" and "PIERCING PURPOSE". Some of her comments from January until now have been:
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"My God, my God,

why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from the words of my groaning?"

(Psalm 22:1)

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"Too Beautiful For Earth"

My precious baby boy --

always in heart,

but I wish he was in my arms.

I miss him everyday!

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"S" thinks that the loss of a child

is different than any other loss

because you lose a part of your future.

You mourn the memories that can now never be..."

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"S" wishes band-aids worked for hearts...."

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"Sometimes the best remedy for grief is

finding some way to touch

somebody else's life."

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"When all that I can sing

is a broken Hallelujah,

when my offering is shattered praise

-- still I will worship You and

give You the praise.

Lord, hear my heart in this painful place"...

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"S" posted a Max Lucado quote:

"God in heaven has chosen

to bend near toward the Earth

to see our sorrow and

hear our prayers.

He is not so far above us

that He is not touched by our tears "

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“God didn't promise days without pain,

laughter without sorrow,

sun without rain,

but He did promise strength for the day,

comfort...'

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Then, this past week "S" writes to

Jordan and Jacqueline:

"I can't wait to hear her NAME! :-)

I am waiting by phone....

call or text and give her kisses for me. "

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"Yea! I'm a god-aunt.

I personally think god-aunts

are just as cool as regular aunts....

we'll have to let Chloe decide.

I can't WAIT to meet her."

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I believe that although "S" hurts deeply,

she is learning how to

REJOICE,

to DAILY DIE

and follow life's

PIERCING PURPOSE.

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FRIDAY WAS HERE!

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SUNDAY'S COMING!

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CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: FRIDAY'S HERE BUT SUNDAY'S COMING!!!!

There's winter, but then...

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SPRING comes!

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There's the death of the seed, but then...

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the FLOWER comes!

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There's work, but then...

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REST comes!

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There's pain, but then...

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HEALING comes!

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There's labor, but then...

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a BABY comes!

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There was a burial one Friday, but then...

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RESURRECTION came on Sunday!!!

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1 Corinthians 1:18-19 says,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness

to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God..."

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FRIDAY'S HERE!

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SUNDAY'S COMING!

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God gave us signs of resurrection, all over our yard, yesterday April 9, 2009. I pondered the week that Christ went to the cross. I meditated on my father-in-law's favorite song that was written right here in "The Garden State" in our little town of Pitman, NJ. I sang some of it's words:

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"I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses.

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses.

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And He walks with me and He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known!"

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I prayed that our first grandaughter, who was in the process of being born, would come to know the Son of God in the way the song speaks. Jacqueline was in labor in Chicago; we were in New Jersey. All I could do was pray and ponder. As I walked our yard, I saw this beautiful purple flower...

...and my mind went to two songs that Steve and I have sung alot over the years:

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SONG #1:

"We have a Father, Who lives up above,

His eyes full of mercy, His heart full of love.

He really cares when your head is bowed low...

consider the lilies and then you will know.

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Consider the lilies they don't toil or spin

But there's not a king with more splendor than them

Consider the sparrows, they don't plant or sow,

But they're fed by the Master Who watches them grow."

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Song #2:

"I marvel at the wisdom of my God,

I marvel at the wisdom of my God.

When I see a little lily pushing up the heavy sod,

I marvel at the wisdom of my God."

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The signs of NEW LIFE were all over our yard:

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This last picture, of our living room window, shows the message that it holds for those who pass by. I want our new grandaughter to know this J.O.Y. - the JOY of resurrection! Here are some things that I know about this word:

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1. The birth of Jesus coming to earth was announced with great JOY!


2. While on earth, Jesus taught that in spite of our circumstances, JOY was still possible: "REJOICE, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great..." Matthew 5:12


3. The apostle Paul understood #2, "I am overflowing with JOY in all our affliction..." 2 Corinthians 7:4


4. When a person dies to him or herself and let's Jesus take control, the Holy Spirit grows wonderful things inside that person's heart. JOY is one of the things that God grows inside His children as they "walk and talk" with Him. The apostle Peter talked about this in his first sermon after Jesus ascended to heaven, "...God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified."
   Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off..." Acts 2:36-40
   
5. His mercies are new every morning!
6. Praise God that He has given us a promise that can be passed from generation to generation. Growing up, I was taught a reframe of the Greatest Commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love others as yourself." I was taught it this way: J.O.Y. = Love Jesus first! Love others as much as you love yourself (So, love yourself alot!) This week on this blog, we have called it: L1, L2, LA1, and LA2!

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FRIDAY'S HERE BUT SUNDAY'S COMING!

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The story of NEW LIFE was abundant this week! As the sun set in the west, I finished taking my pictures in the yard. The phone rang! Jordan says, "I'm a dad!" What beautiful words! I am so blessed to know that our grandaughter will have a dad and a mom who intimately know her Heavenly Father. Generations of believers, on both sides of the family, to teach and model for Chloe Mae GOD'S LOVE and it's RESURRECTION POWER!

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Chloe Mae Sikes

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Born: April 9th, 2009

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http://jordandjacqueline.blogspot.com/

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