preparing for Easter

Easter... sometimes when I am preparing for Easter, things come to mind that have nothing to do with my Messiah. I think about hunting for eggs, I think about bunnies, I most definitely think about chocolate. I am not suggesting these things are necessarily bad- but I am suggesting that they are not the meaning of Easter either. Much like Christmas, I enjoy things about Easter that are not based solely on Jesus. At Christmas I admit I enjoy my Christmas tree adorned with some 101 ridiculous ornaments both handmade and purchased. At Easter I admittedly eat my weight in those Reese's Eggs (why is it that they are so much more delicious than a regular Reese's cup?!?) But just like at Christmas, when Easter rolls around I have to pause, reflect and really consider what this holiday is all about. And it humbles me to my knees when I really, really consider preparing for Easter.

I had a roommate in college who told me that her favorite holiday, hands down, was Easter. I looked at her like she had three heads and asked "how can anyone love a holiday more than Christmas?" Again, I have to be honest that some of my love for Christmas revolves around the hustle and bustle and music and joy- but I truly love Christmas because we prepare for the coming of the Christ child! To which my sweet roommate responded "yeah, it's true- His arrival is amazing... but if after His arrival He didn't die for us, then we could not live. And that, is why Easter is my favorite."

Of course. If Jesus did not die- then we could not live. And if Jesus didn't conquer death, then we could not live! 1 Peter 2:24 says,
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

I would encourage you to read the whole story in Matthew chapters 27 and 28 (you can of course find the story in Mark, Luke and John as well)- but hang on until the end. Don't only read the crucifixion story. Jesus took on death- a hard and painful, undeserved death, so that he could bear our sins! Scripture tells us that when we sin we deserve death (Romans 6:23) but Jesus took our place- he died for us. He, who was without sin, took our sins, and died for them (2 Corinthians 5:21). But the story (thankfully) does not end there! Jesus conquered death, death could not hold him! He is risen. Chapter 28 in Matthew tells the story of Jesus risen from the dead.

And now, we need to tell everyone about it! He came back, on what we call Easter, to say "now go and make disciples of all the nations..." (Matthew 28:19). We need to share Easter with everyone! So this Easter, it is my prayer that we would all remember what it is really all about. It's about telling everyone about it! Telling everyone who Jesus is and what he has done!  As Christians, it is our job- it is the great commission (Matthew 28:16-20). We are to take this Easter message and share it with all the nations! He died, he rose, he lives... he saves. That is cause for Easter celebration, I think.

posted by: Tara

ordinary.

I often feel like I am not enough. The simple truth is, I am not enough- God is enough. But sometimes my feelings of not being enough are more like feelings of inadequacy. How could God possibly use me?! How could he take this young, selfish, temperamental, emotional girl and use me to further his kingdom?! Okay, okay- self deprecation aside, I am just too ordinary a girl to be used for great works. Maybe small works of God- but not the bigger stuff. Not enough knowledge or ability. I am just not enough- not equipped for that.

Then, I am encouraged by Jesus' twelve disciples. The twelve men Jesus chose to reach numerous other people.

At least four of them were fishermen, most of them just common working men. Not wealthy, not necessarily of nobility, or even well-learned scholars. I wonder if their hands were dry and calloused from the harsh salt of the sea. I wonder if their hair was somewhat unkempt and their faces burned by the hot sun. I wonder if they lost their tempers, took things personally or got grumpy when tired.

Jesus saw in these men- these seemingly simple men- greatness. When I was in middle school I remember we had this banner in the hallway that read "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." I remember thinking it was way too cheesy but also so interesting- how that little word "extra" really does change the word's meaning entirely. I think these ordinary men had that little extra. I think, by all accounts of their time and people, they would be considered a highly unlikely bunch to do anything great for Jesus. But Jesus saw potential in them- potential in their willingness to follow and learn.

If I... the highly unlikely, unequipped girl am willing to follow and learn from Jesus Christ I know that I can be used. I know that I can reach and further the Kingdom of God- as long as I (like the twelve) am willing to be molded by Christ, then why couldn't I be capable of anything?...

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." John 15:16


posted by: Tara

advent: the coming of hope.

Advent means the arrival of something awaited, or the coming. We are currently in the Christmas season (hooray!) also known as Advent. The season of Advent celebrates the arrival of one very awaited, Jesus.

Growing up we always had an Advent wreath with four candles- and we would light another one each Sunday leading up to Christmas day. At home we had three purple candles and one pink candle, because that's what they had in the manger years ago. Just kidding. Sorry... but seriously I don't think that the colors matter that much in the season of Advent- I have seen different churches have four royal blue candles or just four purple even four red candles displayed. Some include a white candle in the middle, the Christ candle. I have heard really nice stories of why the round wreath explains that God's love is like a circle, it never ends. And the wreath being covered in greens is another example of God's everlasting love or enduring life. Nice. But it's a tradition, not necessarily tried and true theology.

That being said- I thought this blog could celebrate a little Advent each week leading up to Christmas. Because, let's not forget that this entire season is, in fact, celebrating the arrival of the awaited and anticipated Christ, Jesus, Savior, King.

As for week 1- hope.
The prophet Isaiah told what was coming... he gave the people of the Old Testament (and even us today) the hope that a child would be born who would be our wonderful counselor, who would reign with peace and righteousness.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6-7

 And indeed, God used Mary... and when told that she would be the one to give birth to baby Jesus, the savior of the world this was her response: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. (Luke 1:38).

And so, Jesus Christ was born, fully God and fully man- born to a girl named Mary. The Prince of Peace had come, just as Isaiah said he would.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."  Luke 2:20

They hoped for a savior. Something like 700 years earlier the prophet Isaiah promised the Christ was coming. I imagine that people hoped, and they hoped, and they hoped. And it was fulfilled. "...a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

This week in Advent I pray that we would place our hope in Christ, in the promises of His scriptures. The savior of the world has been born- and we have the blessed Advent season to remember the coming hope. The coming of our hope, Jesus Christ- The coming of Christmas.


posted by: Tara