Palm Sunday

It is a wonder how quickly circumstances can change.  On this day we remember Jesus and His triumphal entry as He approached the city of Jerusalem.  People were laying down their coats and palm branches as He rode a donkey, they were cheering for Him with hope and joy.  All the while the Pharisees and the chief priests were trying to figure out how to get rid of Him without causing a riot.  As we know the narrative did change and then some of the same people who cheered Him, turned to jeering Him with ‘Crucify Him!’ – Luke 23:20…for me one of the most powerful statements Jesus ever made on earth was one of the last things He said…‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’Luke 23:34  As we make our way into Holy Week, reflect of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and all He did for you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.  Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Mark 11:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

The Life of Jesus

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It is Holy Week.  The time of year when we are to reflect on the events towards the end of Jesus life here on earth.  His entire time here was the plan of God the Father, in order to reconcile sinners with God.  His birth, his baptism, his time in the wilderness, his teachings, his miracles, his hard lessons and the events of this week, his death on the cross and his resurrection.

There is no person you will ever meet on earth who loves you as much as Jesus and no person on earth that will do as much for you as Jesus has done.  There is so much anger, violence and hatred among the human race and for some reason people love to display this darkness.  There is also love, joy, peace and contentment if you have taken the time to invite Jesus into your heart and you have followed that up by showing your commitment to Him.  He is available to all of us…he even told us so when he was here and had it written down in the bible.

I pray we all take the time to invite or re-invite Jesus into our hearts this week and be open to God’s plan for our own life.  When you look at Jesus time on earth there was evil, suffering and difficult decisions…there was quiet times in prayer, time to help and serve others and at the end of it all there was eternal joy!

God’s peace be with you…Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.  This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Holy Week…The End of the Beginning?

I need to share this song and the lyrics with you today as this recording by David Phelps, a Christian artist, says all you need to know about Jesus Christ and how he came, he lived and he died and how he did it all for you!  During this week may we all spend time reflecting on how much Jesus suffered for all of us and I hope we strive to live our lives in a way that is worthy of his sacrifice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kU-l973MRZg

Words and Music by David Phelps

I was taking a trip on a plane the other day, just wishin’ that I could get out.
When the man next to me saw the book in my hand and asked me what it was about.
So I settled back in my seat. “A best-seller,” I said, “a hist’ry and a myst’ry in one.”
Then I opened up the book and began to read from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…

He was born of a virgin one holy night in the little town of Bethlehem.
Angels gathered ’round Him underneath the star singing praises to the great I AM.

He walked on the water, healed The lame, and made the blind to see again.
And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend.
And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him.
And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and
that was the end…of the beginning.”

“That’s not a new book, that’s a Bible,” he said, “And I’ve heard it all before.
I’ve tried religion, it’s shame and guilt, and I don’t need it anymore.
It’s superstation, made-up tales, just to help the weak to survive.”
“Let me read it again,” I said, “But listen closely. This is gonna change your life.”

“He was born of a virgin one holy night in the little town of Bethlehem.
Angels gathered ’round Him underneath the star singing praises to the great I AM.

He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see again. 
And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend. 
And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, the angry crowd chose Him. And then He walked down the road and died on the cross and that was the end…of the beginning.”

“The end of the beginning?” he said with a smile. “What more
could there be? He’s dead. You said they hung Him, put nails in
His hands and a crown of thorns on His head.” I said, “I’ll read it
again, but this time there’s more.

And I believe that this is true: His death wasn’t the end but the beginning of life that’s completed in you.
Don’t you see, He did all this for you…”

“He was born of a virgin one holy night in the little town of
Bethlehem. All the angels singing praises to the great I AM.
He walked on the water, healed the lame, and made the blind to see.
And for the first time here on earth, did you know that God could be a friend?
And though He never, ever did a single thing wrong, He was the one the crowd chose.
And then He walked and He died, but three days later, three days later, three days later…
He rose! Three days later He rose!

You see, He came, He lived, and He died, but that was the end of the beginning.