Death doesn't get to win

28 years ago, my parents lost their only son, my grandparents lost their first grandchild, and my sister and I lost our big brother.  His story is a tragedy.  Being young as I was at the time (under a year), it has been suggested that my heart would not feel so much pain over it.  I have spent 28 years living in a family with the hole that he left.  Trust me, I have been impacted but there is hope in tragedy.  Mostly, I seek to celebrate a life that was short but completely valuable and lovely.  Our lives are but vapors no matter how long, but we bring glory to our creator because He chose to form us in His image.

The significance that we are celebrating Jesus' resurrection this year on the very date 28 years ago that my brother passed away is not lost on me.  For Jesus Christ did not only die a tragic death which paid for my sins and yours.  He did the impossible; He rose to life.  This story has become commonplace and we treat coming back from the dead as if it is a normal and expected occurrence.  It is NOT.  Not only is it unusual for people to return from death's door, it is actually completely abhorrent that God would suffer at the hand of those He created and then turn around and offer us a gift that would be impossible for us to earn.

But, glory be to the King - for He did the impossible and loves doing the impossible all the time.  I'm so thankful that I have been given new life.  Life enough for today and life for the endless days ahead.  I'm thankful that I get to live today and tomorrow with the joy that when death comes to take me, I will but walk into life.  My faith will be sight and my hope completely satisfied in Him.  If you are reading this, my prayer for you is that you have that same joy.  As I get older, I don't look back but look forward to the untold adventures to come.  God is good, even in the darkest days and Jesus is proof.  Death doesn't get to win because God wins every time.

I admit this song is a bit unorthodox for celebrating Easter, but every time I hear it, I can't help but celebrate that we've been given life unending and that is all because of what happened over 2,000 years ago.  Enjoy and Happy Resurrection Sunday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfOaTbadP64

Reflections on this Good Friday

At the foot of the cross….

We find that our sins are taken care of and we have access and relationship to the one true God.  No more are we separated, we are brought near.  For He took our weight upon Himself.  

      

The station of who we are - rich, poor, slave, free, awkward, lonely, socialite, famed, and criminal matter not in the face of the righteousness which covers all who come and take of the free gift. 

 

It is not a matter of being the first, the smartest, wisest, or most cunning.  No, it is a gift completely separate from what you do.  It is a matter of grace.  No man can claim to have earned or surpassed another to procure it, for it is a free gift.  

And love, there is no further need to seek to be valued and loved by others who can fail and injure.  The God-Man, Jesus the Christ became the standard for love by sacrificing Himself for you and for me.  

 

While prized crude oil must be conserved and protected for the resource will end and then people will be without; the love of Christ which is offered to all is endless and the gift of grace He offers is for every man who will recognize his need, and accept with open hands and an open heart this gift.  

As a recipient of such a limitless gift, we are free to offer and share it with all!  Suddenly, we no longer judge people by their stations, abilities, or failings.  We see them as they truly are, people loved by God with great worth because He made it so.  

This is why we share, forgive others, love, sacrifice, care, celebrate, and scream of His goodness from the mountain tops.  He is the One we all long for, but we are often unable to see.  And one evening, he held his arms out of his own free will and in the greatest act known to mankind - He offered Himself.  

"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heave, making peace by the blood of the cross". - Colossians 1:19

"To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 24

Hymn

This blog moment brought to you by the years of piano lessons that has left me with an ability to understand simple music notations and by the people in my life that taught me hymns have a richness that is worthy of review and song.  

I ran across a hymn this evening, that I have never sung before.  When I cam across the lyrics, they simply came alive and I wanted to share them.  I will quote only verse 1 and 2 here.  But for further reading, simply search the title and author, and you will find it many places.  

I am His, and He is mine (Written by George Robinson)

Verse 1:  Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace that love to know,

Spirit breathing from above, Thou hast taught me it is so!

O this full and precious peace from his presence all divine;

in a love that cannot cease, I am his and he is mine;

in a love that cannot cease, I am his and he is mine.

Verse 2: Heav'n above is deeper blue, earth around is sweeter green,

Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen.

Birds in song his glories show, flow'rs with richer beauties shine

since I know, as now I know, I am his and he is mine;

since I know, as now I know, I am his and he is mine.

For a rendition of the song sung, go to: http://www.newhopeconnection.com/page_to_print.cfm?id=213&content_id=319

When you know, that you know, that you know, that you are loved by God and love Him in return - there is a beauty that can scarcely be described.  I have no further words to add to such a beautiful hymn.