Easter

     Happy "Late" Easter, everybody! Twelve years ago, when mom was planting rose bushes, I was asking her way too many questions after coming home from church. So we sat on the porch steps drinking juice boxes, while she took the time to answer my questions and tell me about Jesus, the Son of God. I am so thankful that my mom took the time to share with me the good news of Christ and that this could be said of her:

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised (from the dead) on the third day according to the Scriptures, (I Cor. 3b-4)"

     That afternoon, I put my trust in Jesus to save me from my sins, and I encourage you to do the same. Our Savior is the One who created us, and He gave His very life to save us from our sins (breaking His law). God is Loving, but also Just. Because every one of us has broken his law (found in Ex. 20:1-17), if he threw us all in Hell for are crimes he would still be Just. However, he is also loving and merciful. On the Cross he chose to take our place. If we put our trust in His blood on the cross, we will be forgiven ALL our sins. Because of that, Jesus is our Ultimate Example. He is our Ultimate Leader. He's the perfect Sacrifice. He's the Lamb of God. He's the Son of God, and He's the Rose of Sharon.

The Sacrifice

Blooming rose that’s highly favored,

And by Jehovah dearly loved,

Sanctioned by the Holy Father,

Perfect and unblemished flower;

Innocent, pure, and untarnished,

Fresh, delicate, gentle hearted,

Healing all my broken wounds,

You suffered much more than a swoon.

Marred beyond all recognition,

Murdered by your own creation,

Bruised and beaten, mocked and spat on,

Why did you suffer on so long?

Father and son, in unity

Together spent eternity,

Forging a plan ‘fore time began,

They did determine to save man.

Though tight the everlasting bond,

This was not time at all for song,

Covered by our horrendous sin,

The Father could not look at him.

As ‘round they riled, beat and shove

Your name O LORD above is love.

“Father, forgive them”, was your cry,

While on the cross you hung to die.

Quite willingly, you took my place,

To hide me from God’s holy face,

For wrath of God you suffered more,

Than all the blood, and hid’ous gore.

At the last cry, Tetelestai,

You yielded life with a great sigh

That it is finished, paid in full,

And no one ever can annul.

In the dark tomb, you gently laid,

Your life was gone and my sins paid

Some mourned you dead in that dark cave,

But you are great, mighty to save.

On the third day you then arose,

Conquering death and all your foes.

Your life’s eternal, said and done;

Victory’s sure, the battle’s won.

And then to me you truly swore,

I’ll love you ever ever more.

And this to you I will now swear,

To put my trust in Love so fair.

For if we truly do believe,

Salvation freely we’ll receive,

Putting our trust in Christ alone,

And that he did our sins atone.

Alive and risen, that from thence,

You might have the preeminence,

Seated at the right hand of God,

You doth rule that heavenly sod.

For all you’ve bought and left and gave,

That you may the souls ever save,

For all the love that I have known,

What love to others have I shown?

-          By Jennifer, 3/18/2013

  For Mom’s Birthday 
  Happy Birthday, Mom!