Easter this year is Sunday March 23, 2008! He is Risen!
As you may know, Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20).
This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.
Here are some interesting facts about the calculated date for Easter.
Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is pretty rare. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! Only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And, none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts:
- The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from
now).
- The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones
that were around for that!).
- The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from
now).
- The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any
earlier than this year!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
As Silver Refined
Author and Source Unknown
Malachi 3:3 reads: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Malachi 3:3 reads: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
A Joke: Scientist Invents a Way to Create Life
A scientist invents a way of creating life, of breathing life into dirt with a cosmic ray he's developed. He says to God, "Hey, God, I can breath life into dirt! We scientists don't need you anymore!"
God says, "Let me see."
The scientist sets up his equipment, a complex array of tubes and gauges and dials and a chamber where his cosmic ray gets focused just right. He picks up a handful of dirt and goes to put it in the chamber, where life will be breathed into it.
"No, no," God says. "Get your own dirt."
God says, "Let me see."
The scientist sets up his equipment, a complex array of tubes and gauges and dials and a chamber where his cosmic ray gets focused just right. He picks up a handful of dirt and goes to put it in the chamber, where life will be breathed into it.
"No, no," God says. "Get your own dirt."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
My Birthday: God's Pleasure
Today is my birthday and for the first birthday ever I am glad I am alive.
Early in life I acquired an extremely shame-based perspective. I hated everything about me and would regularly heap self-condemnation and self-hatred upon myself. I had suicidal thoughts from a very young age until God delivered me of them when I was in my early to mid-thirties. At that time, I was on my way to work one day thinking that it might be better off to be dead when my thoughts went in a different direction. My desire to die was the result of the incredible pain I was feeling and had carried with me most of my life. I was tired of hurting and thought the only solution to ending my pain was to die. Yet, here was the thought progression driving to work that morning: “If I am dead then my husband is a widower and my daughter no longer has a mother. If I am dead then my parents no longer have their firstborn daughter and my sister no longer has a sibling.” I then went on to think that my employer would no longer have an employee but quickly realized that as an employee I could be replaced! What I realized that morning was that if I were dead then my death would change the lives of those I love. For the first time in my life, I had the idea take hold that I might actually have some value.
Since that day I first thought I might be worth something, I can honestly say and gladly report that God has changed my attitude about myself and about living. The journey of the last decade or so has culminated in a birthday today where I actually said, “Thank You, Father God, for creating me and giving me life.”
Do I like everything about myself? No. Have I committed sins and done things I am ashamed of? Yes. Do I still experience pain? Yes. Have I arrived? Absolutely not. However, I have learned that these truths about myself do not need to make me hate myself. These truths do not make God hate me. I am a believer in Jesus and the Bible tells me that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God loves me and wants me to see me the way He sees me. God sees me as His dearly loved child.
God loves you and wants you to see yourself the way He sees you as His dearly loved creation. God sees you with His eyes of love. He loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you so that you might be free from your sin (John 3:16) and your own dissatisfaction with who you are. God does not want to condemn you (John 3:17). God is the One Who created you and He loves you so much. Yes, your earthly parents started the process through conception but God watched over you as you were being formed in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). God’s own hands shaped and formed you (Job 10:8). God loves you because you are His creation. God took pleasure in you on your birth day and wants You to experience His love for you regardless of what you have done.
Today I have experienced God’s love. I know I am not perfect. I have committed my fair share of sins and mistakes but I have confessed them to my Creator and He has forgiven me. Despite my faults and sometimes willful disobedience to Him, He continues to love me with an everlasting love.
I am now going to go finish celebrating my birthday and my life by sitting next to a fire drinking Pepsi and eating Oreo cookies that a friend gave to me for my birthday. I will drink my Pepsi and eat my Oreos while I listen to a Point of Grace CD another friend gave me for my birthday. I will “Turn Up the Music” and live this life of mine that God has created for His good pleasure. And my pleasure, too.
Today is my birthday and I sense God’s pleasure with me.
Today is my birthday and I am glad I am alive.
Scriptures
Job 10:8: “Your hands shaped me and made me…”
Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.; your works are beautiful…”
John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
Music Reference
"How You Live (Turn Up the Music)" can be found on the Point of Grace CD titled "How You Live."
Early in life I acquired an extremely shame-based perspective. I hated everything about me and would regularly heap self-condemnation and self-hatred upon myself. I had suicidal thoughts from a very young age until God delivered me of them when I was in my early to mid-thirties. At that time, I was on my way to work one day thinking that it might be better off to be dead when my thoughts went in a different direction. My desire to die was the result of the incredible pain I was feeling and had carried with me most of my life. I was tired of hurting and thought the only solution to ending my pain was to die. Yet, here was the thought progression driving to work that morning: “If I am dead then my husband is a widower and my daughter no longer has a mother. If I am dead then my parents no longer have their firstborn daughter and my sister no longer has a sibling.” I then went on to think that my employer would no longer have an employee but quickly realized that as an employee I could be replaced! What I realized that morning was that if I were dead then my death would change the lives of those I love. For the first time in my life, I had the idea take hold that I might actually have some value.
Since that day I first thought I might be worth something, I can honestly say and gladly report that God has changed my attitude about myself and about living. The journey of the last decade or so has culminated in a birthday today where I actually said, “Thank You, Father God, for creating me and giving me life.”
Do I like everything about myself? No. Have I committed sins and done things I am ashamed of? Yes. Do I still experience pain? Yes. Have I arrived? Absolutely not. However, I have learned that these truths about myself do not need to make me hate myself. These truths do not make God hate me. I am a believer in Jesus and the Bible tells me that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God loves me and wants me to see me the way He sees me. God sees me as His dearly loved child.
God loves you and wants you to see yourself the way He sees you as His dearly loved creation. God sees you with His eyes of love. He loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you so that you might be free from your sin (John 3:16) and your own dissatisfaction with who you are. God does not want to condemn you (John 3:17). God is the One Who created you and He loves you so much. Yes, your earthly parents started the process through conception but God watched over you as you were being formed in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). God’s own hands shaped and formed you (Job 10:8). God loves you because you are His creation. God took pleasure in you on your birth day and wants You to experience His love for you regardless of what you have done.
Today I have experienced God’s love. I know I am not perfect. I have committed my fair share of sins and mistakes but I have confessed them to my Creator and He has forgiven me. Despite my faults and sometimes willful disobedience to Him, He continues to love me with an everlasting love.
I am now going to go finish celebrating my birthday and my life by sitting next to a fire drinking Pepsi and eating Oreo cookies that a friend gave to me for my birthday. I will drink my Pepsi and eat my Oreos while I listen to a Point of Grace CD another friend gave me for my birthday. I will “Turn Up the Music” and live this life of mine that God has created for His good pleasure. And my pleasure, too.
Today is my birthday and I sense God’s pleasure with me.
Today is my birthday and I am glad I am alive.
Scriptures
Job 10:8: “Your hands shaped me and made me…”
Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.; your works are beautiful…”
John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
Music Reference
"How You Live (Turn Up the Music)" can be found on the Point of Grace CD titled "How You Live."
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
When Your Hut is On Fire
Source and Author Unknown
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives...even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives...even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Brick Wall or a Speedbump?
I attended a Mark Lowry concert one time. Mark is a singer and Christian comedian. During the concert he talked about those events that occur in our lives that feel like brick walls. He said these difficult events look like brick walls and feel like brick walls even when we are surrendering the circumstances to the Lord. However, as time goes by and places a perspective on that event in our life, we have the ability to see that what seemed like a brick wall at the time was only a speed bump.
I do not know what you may have going on in your life right now, but I have a situation that absolutely feels like a brick wall and it hurts. The initial event occurred over a year ago and ended with circumstances that created a different reality for me. I did not ask for these circumstances and had no control over them yet they have changed my life forever. Maybe you have circumstances that you are experiencing because someone else is making decisions that affect you and you cannot do anything about it. It is not fair because their decisions affect your life and yet you have no control over what they will decide. Maybe your brick wall is a medical diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a career downsizing. Whatever the circumstance might be, God has promised to never leave us nor turn His back on us. In the Old Testament, Isaiah wrote the following as a word from God:
“Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3
God never promised that we would not have problems or pain. However, He has promised that He would lead us through the painful circumstances in victory. In the New Testament Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I have decided that in spite of what has been done to me and how it has changed my life, I will allow the Lord to work in me and change me so that I might get through my circumstances and be a better person as a result of what has happened. It’s just the getting through it that is a challenge.
If we hold on to God and the hope that can be found in the Bible and seek to do what He wants us to do, I have no doubt that we will make it through. Remember, when you hold onto God, He will lead you through your circumstances and you will be a better person as a result.
Scriptures Used
Isaiah 43:1-3: “Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I do not know what you may have going on in your life right now, but I have a situation that absolutely feels like a brick wall and it hurts. The initial event occurred over a year ago and ended with circumstances that created a different reality for me. I did not ask for these circumstances and had no control over them yet they have changed my life forever. Maybe you have circumstances that you are experiencing because someone else is making decisions that affect you and you cannot do anything about it. It is not fair because their decisions affect your life and yet you have no control over what they will decide. Maybe your brick wall is a medical diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a career downsizing. Whatever the circumstance might be, God has promised to never leave us nor turn His back on us. In the Old Testament, Isaiah wrote the following as a word from God:
“Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3
God never promised that we would not have problems or pain. However, He has promised that He would lead us through the painful circumstances in victory. In the New Testament Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I have decided that in spite of what has been done to me and how it has changed my life, I will allow the Lord to work in me and change me so that I might get through my circumstances and be a better person as a result of what has happened. It’s just the getting through it that is a challenge.
If we hold on to God and the hope that can be found in the Bible and seek to do what He wants us to do, I have no doubt that we will make it through. Remember, when you hold onto God, He will lead you through your circumstances and you will be a better person as a result.
Scriptures Used
Isaiah 43:1-3: “Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Friday, February 29, 2008
Why me, Lord?
Some people cry out “Why me, Lord?” when they experience times of trouble and heartache. The subtle or not so subtle thought is that God should have exempted them from whatever negative situation it is they are experiencing.
Jesus said that in this world we are going to have problems. He told those listening to Him in a very clear and straightforward manner which left no room for misinterpretation, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). If Jesus said we are going to have problems and trouble in life, we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens. The solution to the trouble isn’t to pray “Why me, Lord?” and be miserable over people and things we have no control. The solution is to give yourself and your circumstances to the Lord and trust Him with your life.
Trials and problems occur in life. We cannot prevent them. However, we can choose to trust God to help us grow and become the person He wants us to be as a result of what we experience.
I recently went through an extremely difficult time of which I am still experiencing the fallout. I was in a situation I did not want to be in. This situation involved another person who did not want what I wanted. I had no control over the decision he made. The decision he made changed my life and I will live with the consequences of his decision every day of my life until I leave planet earth.
In the early days of this overwhelmingly painful situation, I cried out to God, “Don’t let this pain be for nothing.” I knew that I could not blame God for the circumstances I was in because God gives humans free will. The other person was exercising his free will outside the boundaries God has designed and I knew that was not God’s fault. Nevertheless, this person’s choices were creating incredible pain for me. As a result, I prayed, “Lord, don’t let this pain be for nothing.” I realized that if God didn’t change me then the pain would be wasted and the circumstances would not bring glory and honor to God.
I continued to pray and sought God through every day of this situation. I am now fifteen months past the beginning of the most painful situation I have ever experienced and I can honestly say that my pain was not wasted. Did circumstances turn out the way I wanted them to? No. Even so, God is working in me in my new circumstances just like He was working in me in the old circumstances. God is delivering healing to my spirit, my emotions, and my thoughts. What Satan meant for evil God is working out for my good (Romans 8:28) in ways I couldn’t even imagine when I was lost in the pain and devastating feelings of what was happening.
What trouble are you experiencing? What pain cuts through your soul like a knife? Share it with God and ask Him to be the Lord over your pain (2 Corinthians 7:10). Ask Him to lead you through your journey of hurt. As He leads, follow. God may or may not change your circumstances, however, He can change you in the midst of the circumstances if you allow Him. Trust God to turn your mourning into comfort and joy (Jeremiah 31:13). It will take time, but God is able to heal the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Scriptures
Jeremiah 31:13: I will turn your mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (New International Version)
Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (New International Version)
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (New International Version)
2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldy grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly (breeding and ending in death). (Amplified Version)
Jesus said that in this world we are going to have problems. He told those listening to Him in a very clear and straightforward manner which left no room for misinterpretation, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). If Jesus said we are going to have problems and trouble in life, we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens. The solution to the trouble isn’t to pray “Why me, Lord?” and be miserable over people and things we have no control. The solution is to give yourself and your circumstances to the Lord and trust Him with your life.
Trials and problems occur in life. We cannot prevent them. However, we can choose to trust God to help us grow and become the person He wants us to be as a result of what we experience.
I recently went through an extremely difficult time of which I am still experiencing the fallout. I was in a situation I did not want to be in. This situation involved another person who did not want what I wanted. I had no control over the decision he made. The decision he made changed my life and I will live with the consequences of his decision every day of my life until I leave planet earth.
In the early days of this overwhelmingly painful situation, I cried out to God, “Don’t let this pain be for nothing.” I knew that I could not blame God for the circumstances I was in because God gives humans free will. The other person was exercising his free will outside the boundaries God has designed and I knew that was not God’s fault. Nevertheless, this person’s choices were creating incredible pain for me. As a result, I prayed, “Lord, don’t let this pain be for nothing.” I realized that if God didn’t change me then the pain would be wasted and the circumstances would not bring glory and honor to God.
I continued to pray and sought God through every day of this situation. I am now fifteen months past the beginning of the most painful situation I have ever experienced and I can honestly say that my pain was not wasted. Did circumstances turn out the way I wanted them to? No. Even so, God is working in me in my new circumstances just like He was working in me in the old circumstances. God is delivering healing to my spirit, my emotions, and my thoughts. What Satan meant for evil God is working out for my good (Romans 8:28) in ways I couldn’t even imagine when I was lost in the pain and devastating feelings of what was happening.
What trouble are you experiencing? What pain cuts through your soul like a knife? Share it with God and ask Him to be the Lord over your pain (2 Corinthians 7:10). Ask Him to lead you through your journey of hurt. As He leads, follow. God may or may not change your circumstances, however, He can change you in the midst of the circumstances if you allow Him. Trust God to turn your mourning into comfort and joy (Jeremiah 31:13). It will take time, but God is able to heal the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Scriptures
Jeremiah 31:13: I will turn your mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (New International Version)
Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (New International Version)
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (New International Version)
2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldy grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly (breeding and ending in death). (Amplified Version)
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