"Surely, He was the Son of God!"

I cannot fathom all that Jesus suffered on the day of His death.

Physically, emotionally, spiritually

After the crowd shouted
"Crucify Him!"
Jesus is flogged and handed over.

Jesus is stripped.
Jesus is dressed up and mocked.
Jesus has a crown of thorns pressed into His head.
Jesus is spat upon.
Jesus is beaten, over and over again.

Simon of Cyrene is commissioned to help carry the cross.
They are led out to Golgotha.
Jesus is given wine and gall to drink
Jesus is nailed to the cross….

Jesus’ possessions are divided between the soldiers who gamble for them.
Jesus has the name “King of the Jews” placed above His head.
Jesus has robbers either side of Him, also being crucified.
Jesus is insulted by passers-by “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!”
Jesus is insulted by the Chief Priests and elders, “He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him…”
Jesus is insulted by the robbers too.
Insult after injury…..
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”
Wine vinegar….
Jesus cries out in a loud voice….

 "Into  Thy Hands..."
He gives up His spirit.

  Jesus dies
Darkness…..

Temple curtain torn
Earth shaken….rocks split
Tombs opened…dead raised

 The soldiers replied,

 Oh, that I may truly know the sacrifice He made for me,
that I had died to sin on the cross with Him.
The words, "It is finished." that released Him from the bonds of His earthly body, also have released sin's grasp on me!!

May we never forget that He took on all of our sins that day.

Surely, He is the Son of God!

Linking up at these blogs:

Walk With Him Wednesday(A Holy Experience)

Word Filled Wednesday (Internet Cafe')
 

Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace

Faith Filled Friday (Beholding Glory)

Grace Cafe' (Reflections of His Grace ')

Heartprint Hallelujahs (Heartprints of God) 
 

They that Wait Upon the Lord. . .

Source: jcsnotebook.org via Ann on Pinterest

Have you ever run and not gotten tired? Maybe some dedicated athletes can relate to that, but personally, I have never enjoyed running. I just get out of breath and wear out after just a few minutes into a light jog! I'd rather walk, thank you very much!  But, this verse says with God as our strength, we will run (the race of life) and not grow weary!! Life can be tiring at times, with all the stress, health issues, pressures of work and family, and even resisting all the temptations of this world!

Friend, if you are feeling weak and think you can't go on anymore, turn to the Lord - read His Word - go to Him in prayer. Seek Him and you will find Him, for He says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Isaiah 40:31 has been my all-time favorite verse since I can remember....at least since my teen years, when I dedicated my life to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I love the imagery of an eagle soaring high in the sky, the wind keeping him high above the trees. With the strong wind holding him up, he can relax and enjoy the view below. No need to strain and work his wings. I see God, as being the "wind" holding me up when I can't hold myself up anymore!! What a relief, knowing that He is my strength!!

I wanted to share a short paragraph on the subject of the week from the blog hop (JamWithMe Thursdays) which is actually being held over at My Home Sweet Home blog. This week we are asked to share a " A heart healing moment." That is actually a hard one for me to pin down just one moment of God's healing, there are sooooo many!! But, I guess if I just had one to share, it would be the emotional healing of the loss of a child. Even though he was a step-child, James spent many weekends, holidays, and vacations with us and eventually lived with us through his high school years. God chose to take him early, at the tender age of 18. My relationship with him had been bittersweet for many years prior to the car accident that took him from us. For many years guilt and sorrow plagued me and even kept me from freely enjoy raising my own biological son. But, one day, as I was going to Him in prayer and wanting peace, God spoke to me and told me that it was o.k. and that He knew my heart. I felt immediate peace about what I couldn't change...God had healed my heart!

 May you find strength and healing this week in the power of Jesus Christ!!!!

Linking over at these great blog-hops:

On Your Heart Tuesday (A Pause in the Path)

Word-Filled Wednesdy (Internet Cafe')

 Winsome Wednesday (My Daily Walk in His Grace)

JamWithMe Thursday (Faith Barista)

Heartprint Hallelujahs(Heartprints of God)

Sun and Moon

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.      (Psalm 138:3)

He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. Psalm 104:19)

I took these pictures  with my digital camera while walking down my road. On the same day, at the same time, I looked to the west and the sun was setting. I turned directly around and looked to the east and saw the moon, high in the sky.(I wish I had a 360 degree camera!). It was breathtaking!!!

West

East

The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. (Psalm 50:1)

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. (Psalm 74:16)

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113:3)

Linking over at these blog hops:

Word-Filled Wednesday (Internet Cafe')

Brag on God Friday (Beholding Glory)

Heartprint Halellujahs (Heartprints of God)

On Your Heart Tuesday (A Pause on the Path)

My Adventures

Source: magiceyes.smugmug.com via Ann on Pinterest

I recently have been studying and writing down adventures I am expecting in the upcoming year. Already my adventures are beginning and it's only January!!

Source: quotes-inspirational.com via Ann on Pinterest

Here are some amazing adventurers! Just had to post this!

Source: tipjunkie.com via Ann on Pinterest

Source: vi.sualize.us via Ann on Pinterest

My Adventures for 2012:

• Moving from a large home to a small lake house (very soon!)

• Losing 40 pounds in 6 months! Winning a local “biggest loser contest.”

• Reading "Made to Crave" and learning to crave a daily relationship with God!

• Reading the Bible in 90 days.(an internet blog challenge group) starting in February. 
• Renewing my wedding vows with my hubby on a tropical beach! 
• Relaxing! 
• Getting involved with other couples in my church 
• Getting involved with more blog parties and making lots of bloggy friends. 
• Restarting an awesome garden on our new property! 
• Lots of fishing! 
•  Make a healthy eating plan for myself.

Source: sayingimages.com via Ann on Pinterest

Been reading "Made to Crave" with my bloggy sisters over at A Journey of Love and My Freshly Brewed Life. We are on chapter 3: Getting a Plan. Words in this chapter that popped out for me were plan(of course), sacrifice, invest, lessons, perspectives, friends. All these things are required, if an adventure is to take place!

When I think of the photos and quotes above I'm reminded that my choices in my food plan will be an adventure, as well, so I added it to my list.  Finding what works for me and my lifestyle and making it a permanent part of my life will be a challenge, especially at first. But what an adventure!

To read about some amazing adventure ideas go to my post "How to Become an Adventurer"

 

Linking over at these blog hops:

Word-Filled Wednesday

Made to Crave(A Journey of Love and My Freshly Brewed Life)

 Jam with me Thursdays(Faith Barista)

In Search of Beauty(A Pause in the Path)

Brag on God Fridays(Beholding Glory)

Break Every Chain!

source - http://www.ameaningfulexistence.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/iStock_000005716223XSmall.jpg

 ...Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, 

and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.   

Psalm 107:13-14(NIV)

Why do I so often try to argue with God?

About my calling…

About His prompting…

What I want His will for me to be…

My reasons for not following…

My excuses for waiting, instead of stepping out…

Why do I let fear and uncertainty take precedence…when I know God will provide and protect me?

(These are questions I recently was moved to ask myself after listening to the message my pastor gave at my church.)

We try to reduce the will of God to the logical limits of our brains, but the will of God is not logical. He doesn’t always make sense. And, honestly, it sometimes feels like we’re on a wild goose chase. “Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surrounds Him”

God has a grand design, and we are a part of His greater work. Our part is faithfulness and hard work. God’s part is leading us into wise decisions, which produce the right results as He receives the glory. As followers of Christ, the quality and quantity of our work is a reflection on God.

Awesome Song!

 (Remember to mute or stop the music on my playlist on the right sidebar)
This was the song we sang during the worship and music part of our service.

Praying your heart is touched, like it touched me.

Linking up at:

Winsome Wednesday

Word-Filled Wednesday

Gathering at the Grace Cafe'

My Word/Verse for 2012

I've read a few blogs where the bloggers decided to have a special "word" or verse that they feel describes their calling or what God prompts them to focus on for the coming year. I decided to do the same.

I've chosen my word for 2012:  

Transformed

My verse for 2012:

Romans 12:2   (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I also am listing my desires for this year:

• To live a healthy lifestyle:  physically, in my relationships, and in my walk with God every day.

•  To realize my gifts and use them to God’s glory alone.

• To know my limitations and learn when God is leading and when He’s not, and take action accordingly.

• To make a difference in the lives of others by sharing my life experiences and words of encouragement.(specifically through my blog)

• To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, walking the hard road and taking up my cross daily to do so.

My prayer for 2012 :

Precious Lord, help me to be transformed and renewed...

as I seek a deeper and soul searching relationship with You, 

in order to bring glory to God.  I pray to see all things new...

and allow God to continue the process of  transformation 

He has begun in me. Help me to discern Your will and not mine.
Guide me to find contentment, peace and renewal.... 

focusing on what GOD wants me to do...

within my own home, my own community, and the world. 

 In Your Glorious Name, Amen.


Linking up at:

 Word Filled Wednesday

Reflections of His Grace