Sunday, March 31, 2013

He IS!

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is the one I meant when I said, `A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"  John 1:29-30

On Good Friday, we remembered a Friday that happened approximately 2000 years ago.  Jesus, the Passover lamb, the one recognized as such by his cousin, John, on the day of His baptism, became our ultimate sacrifice.

A guilt offering by One who was not guilty.

A grain offering by One who is the Bread of Life.

A drink offering by One who shed His blood for us.

A sin offering by One who became sin for us.

A fellowship offering by One who desires close communion with each of us.

All wrapped up in One perfect Man, the Lamb of God.

But, "Do not weep!  See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed." Revelation 5:5a

On Resurrection Sunday, we remember the One Who conquered death.  Now in His glorified state, He is remembered as a Lamb, but He is looking more and more like the lion.  The Lion of Judah, triumphant and victorious over death!

Now, we await His return.  As a tried and true Keeper of Promises, we can lean on this promise as well.

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." Hebrews 9:27-28

He went out like a lamb.
But He will come in like a lion!

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!
(Revelation 5:13b)

Joyful Resurrection Sunday!



Saturday, March 30, 2013

Squash Bugs!

To my fellow believers, those who profess faith in the Risen Lamb of God:

I would like to encourage you to "come out from them and be separate".  (2 Cor. 6:17)

I'm not sure what draws you to the Easter bunny?  (Maybe pause a moment and consider this question more deeply).  Are you embracing this worldly practice because you grew up with it yourself?  Because it is cute?  Because...I can't think of anything else, I'm at a loss.

Never mind (for this year's post anyway) the heathenish, satanic practices at the root of so many traditions around Easter.

What better, easier opportunity do we have to demonstrate that you live not as the world lives, like people who have no hope?  Instead, we are embracing their practices and teaching them to our children, alongside the Holy Name of Jesus.  How is this possible?

Do you doubt evil's involvement in this?  Remember that American culture is extremely child-centered. It would make sense for Satan to target our children, tainting a holy remembrance and celebration like the Resurrection with pastel candies and a giant fluffy bunny.

Fill your days of celebration not with meaningless "fluff" (so to speak) but with intentional, meaningful practices.  Just as Passover is celebrated with such rich symbolism, opportunities to teach about Christ, opportunities, yes, to make memories, bond with your children, and have fun!

Out with the bunny.

In with the Lamb!

He is quite territorial, you know.  (Ex. 20:5)

There is still time, during this Feast of Unleavened Bread, to clear every bit of yeast (sin) out of your house!

He is the Bread of Life.  Feast on Him.  You will never be hungry for more.







Wednesday, March 6, 2013

White House Wars

In a strange twist of....well, I'm not even sure exactly what here, but this is the newest game craze in our house (names omitted for identity protection):

"I wanna be BarackO!"
"You got to be BarackO last time!  It's my turn to be BarackO!"
"Fine.  Then I get to be George Washington."
...knock, knock, knock...
George Washington is at the door.  He is let in.
"BarackO!  You'd better come out here right now!  You're not treating the people in this country right!"
A wrestling match ensues.
The match grows to include John Adams, Teddy Roosevelt, and George W. Bush.  Weird and weirder things are shouted back and forth as the wrestling escalates.  I finally put a stop to it.  A few hours go by until I once again hear, "Hey guys!  Let's play BarackO!"

Now, could this be a combined result of spending too much time with a president puzzle and a president placemat?  Imaginations gone awry?

A sample of homeschooling weirdness?

You know, I really don't even want to know.  My children sometimes scare me.

But O`bama be warned.  My children are on to you.