…Miraculous Day

Happy, miraculous Easter! As we remember Christ’s resurrection, my prayer is that we gain assurance, faith, boldness and strength to continuously walk in the forgiveness, joy, freedom, power and victory that He’s gifted us. It’s all possible, because He lives!

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

Press play to listen to the version of this song that I grew up on, thanks to that good ol’ Southern Baptist church. And, or, press play to listen to the new, lovely version that I’ve been blessed to find!

…Preparer of My Heart

This week is observed by many as Holy Week. Given the significance of what this week represents, I have recently spent more time thinking about what to write than actually praying and studying about what to write. Frankly, the “Holy Week” label alone had me completely stressed out and attempting to exceed expectations that I no one actually set for me #dramatic

The more I contemplated profound thoughts to post, the more attention I took off of Him and placed on me. And, the more attention I placed on me and my melodramatic self, the less time I actively spent in His presence and on this blog.

Then, in a moment, I was made to realize that I was completely missing the point (insert side eye emoticon here) and sadly missing out on the actual object of my affection – a sincere understanding and appreciation of what He did for us on that Cross.

So, in an attempt to get my life (I can’t believe I just said that), I am handing over the burden I literally made up for myself and am asking God to simply prepare my heart for Him. Thus, as we approach Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, I am aiming to do my part to draw near by:

1. Spending QT – Conversing with Him, asking for and listening to what He desires for me to know about His passion, death and resurrection
2. Studying His Story – Reading the historical account (“his-story”) of His life, as told in the Gospels, and of Easter at Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-21:25, asking for and listening to what He desires for me to learn from His Word
3. Thanking God for His atonement – Worshipping, praising and thanking Him for the reconciliation back to Him through the sacrifice of Christ

Please join me in preparing, on purpose, to embrace the significance, love, power, victory and joy of Easter. In addition to my 3 plays, how are you readying or planning to ready your heart? Disclaimer: Once you tell me, I’ll probably add it to my list! #justsayin

…Catchy Tune

My prayer, today, is that we catch on to and embrace His goodness; that we allow ourselves to be completely caught up and engulfed in His majesty, His faithfulness, His promises, His mercy and His grace. Please press play to listen to the tune that caught my heart this week. Happy Friday!

Never give up, never give in. Never let go of His promises. We’re clinging to the glory of the Cross. You never give up, you never give in. Lord, Jesus You’re the faithful Friend. We’re running for the glory of the Lord. ♪

Faithful is He Who is calling you to Himself, and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (AMP)

…New, Fantastic Season

Ok y’all, today is officially the first day of spring! That is, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth. At 7:02 am EDT this morning, during a moment referred to as “vernal equinox”, the sun shone directly over the equator; the length of both day and night were about equal; and this new season officially began.

With the start of spring, comes more daylight, warmer temperatures, peonies blooming (never mind the shameless plug for my favorite flower, which happens to be regarded as a Chinese symbol of spring), birds chirping (way too early in the morning), worms emerging and butterflies flying. The transition to new life occurs and spring, in all of its wonderful charm, symbolizes rebirth, resurrection and regrowth.

The arrival of this season has been celebrated for thousands of years. In the past, many rejoiced  for the simple reason of restoration of food and warmth. It is known that Egyptians built the Great Sphinx to point directly toward the rising sun on the day of the vernal equinox; Iranians recognize the New Year, known as Nowruz, on this day; and amongst many other celebrations, the Japanese joyfully observe the arrival of spring with a holiday called Higan.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Jesus wants us to experience the bliss of such a time as this. As we embrace the first day of spring, what are you relishing and eagerly expecting? What time is it that you are claiming in your life? Let’s anticipate great things as we walk into this new, fantastic season. Bring the restoration! Bring the renewal! Bring the rejuvenation! Bring the new life! Bring the spring!

…Simple Instruction

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.'” Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

Adore Him. Confess your shortcomings to Him. Thank Him. Ask for His desires for you. No need to make it complicated. This is the explicit instruction we’re given, to simply relate to and converse with Him.

Adoration. Confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication. ACTS. Everyday. All day. Easy. Simple.