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Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Easter 2015

It was a beautiful Easter morning.  The flowers bloomed perfectly this year.

On the CBS Sunday Morning show, I saw a segment on Keith and Kristyn Getty.  I had never heard of them.  But, maybe I had.  Yes, I had heard of them, I just didn't know it.  The Getty's are modern day hymnwriters.  Hymns that stand the test of time.
www.gettymusic.com
I went to Itunes and downloaded the MercyMe and Getty versions of the song.
It is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

The song is:
In Christ Alone

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music


In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.



On the website, I read of a soldier that carries the lyrics with him in battle.  I see where the song speaks to everyone.



Happy Easter 2015







Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Ash Wednesday

I needed something to make me accountable to Lent this year.  So often, I will start out with the best of intentions and let it slip away from me.  I know that I'm not giving up Diet Coke or sweets.
I discovered this devotion from Facebook by Pastor Phil Ressler at the Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd in Old Bridge, NJ.  They have a devotion that can be emailed to you every day for 40 days til Easter. I know that I can't post every day, but I will do my best.

Day 1
Fear of Failure
Scripture- please excuse that I have a mix of translations.
Psalm 23: 1-6  The Lord in my shepherd.  He renews my strength
Matthew 28: 19-20- Make disciples of all nations- teach disciples to obey all commands.  I am with you always.
John 14: 16-17  God will give you an advocate, the Holy Spirit
Joshua 1:9  This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go
Romans 8:18  Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later

There is  a reflection question section:
What is your favorite part of Lent?
I like focusing on studying Jesus and the solemn preparation of Easter.

What are you afraid to start?
That I will quit the devotion due to the busyness of my life

If you took a step of faith, what fears would you need to set aside?
I would need to realize that God is in charge, not me.  I need to case my worry aside.

How does Jesus help you overcome those fears?
I'm constantly reminded of God.  God is available 24/7.

How will you pursue the presence of God this Lent to overcome fear?
I need to study the scripture in a regular fashion.  I need to do my best to stay committed to this devotion.

Plan of Action:
Confront a Fear in Writing
I have a fear of losing my loved ones even though this has happened to my parents.  I know it is God's time, not mine.
I have a fear of the unknown.  In other words, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I saw this picture the other day
FEAR
Face Everything and Rise