Have a blessed July 4th celebration! May we honor our country, and may we honor the One – Jesus- who gives us the ultimate freedom – eternal life!

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour…And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

Matthew 27:45, 50-52

Palm Sunday:

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,   “Hosanna to the Son of David!”   “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”  Matthew 21:9

Just Days Later:

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Matthew 71:22-23

Being a follower of Jesus is not a “one day” event. It is not dependent on how you are feeling on a particular day , or how others are influencing you (as it were the case for the crowds on that first Palm Sunday). It is a daily commitment that requires focusing on the mission that Jesus has called us to: denying ourselves, living for Him, and making disciples of all nations so He receives the glory in everything. As we start this holy week, may we meditate on the sacrifice that both God the Father and Jesus made for us 2,000 years ago.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Happy Valentine’s Day!

May you experience the love of family and friends, but even more importantly, may you know how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ! (Eph 3:18)

Today has been a weird day. The past week and a half has actually been a bit off for me. Sick kids, messed up routines, hectic schedules, and the like. So when I got home from church tonight, I played one of my favorite songs – Casting Crowns’ Your Love Is Extravagant.

Then I read today’s devotional on the Proverbs 31 blog. Glynnis Whitwer writes about how John referred to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’.  I am also the disciple whom Jesus loves. And, as Paul states, this love is ‘by grace, … it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no man can boast.’ Eph 2:8-9

I needed that reminder tonight. I needed that fellowship with my Father- a soft place to land where I feel secure and at peace no matter what storms are swirling around me. His love is truly extravagant!