Resurrection Sunday | All is Well

Friday Findings

I’m a curious soul – with a wide range of nerdy and geeky interests, ranging from space exploration to theological concepts. I often find interesting items when stumbling about on the internet – and on Friday’s I like to share my findings with you!

New Mexico Loveliness

Last week, my guy and I celebrated our First Anniversary by spending a week in New Mexico! It was fantastic – we had simply the very best time.

I’ve always loved New Mexico – mainly for the sky. I worked there one summer (at Glorieta, which was a Southern Baptist Conference Center at that time), and found so much solace under that ginormous sky that often looked like it was painted and not real. It was such a joy to share that sky with husband last week!

So, to reflect back, here are some New Mexico-ish things that I’d love to share with you, dear readers!

White Sands National Monument

While in New Mexico, we also visited my father and his wife. I think all three of them – my dad, his wife, and my guy – thought I was a bit crazy when I insisted that I wanted to drive down to the Southwest corner of the state to visit a bunch of Gypsum sand. But, they love me and went along with my crazy idea; and it turned out to be a fantastic adventure.

White Sands National Monument is a section of the desert that contains mounds and mounds of sand dunes made out of Gypsum, some of the strangest sand I’ve ever stood on. Pure white (think chalk), fine, a bit moist – almost like playdough. We purchased a sled and enjoyed climbing up the dunes and sliding down. If you ever get the chance to visit; don’t pass it up! For more information, check out this site: White Sand Amazingness in the Middle of Nowhere

US National Parks Passport Program

While out in New Mexico, we visited seven National Parks Sites! That’s a record for any trip I’ve ever taken.

Why is that significant? Because it meant that I was able to collect seven cancellation stamps for my US National Parks Passport! Most US National Parks, Historical Sites, Preserves and other locations have “cancellation stamps” at their visitor centers – you can “stamp” your passport upon arrival – just as if you were arriving in a foreign country.

I know, that’s pretty geeky. But I so love being able to add stamps and stickers to my passport, as a record and collection of all the sites I’ve visited. If you love to travel, I suggest you purchase a US National Parks Passport. If you are a parent or grandparent, purchasing one for the smalls in your life may help instill in them the desire to travel and see all the amazing places God has created for our enjoyment: Passport Travel Bug

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Albuquerque is known for many things – one of them being the International Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World. Since that is something we’ve always wanted to do (and tried to do for our proposal, but our flight was cancelled due to fog), we took advantage of the great weather in New Mexico, and booked a Hot Air Balloon Sunrise trip. It was simply amazing – and fascinating. We could see for miles upon miles, and we learned so much about how Hot Air Balloons operate. Plus – it was so very peaceful, floating across the valley in the crisp air, surrounded by mountains. Wow – I would so do it again.

Here’s a very cool timelapse video of Albuquerque’s annual Hot Air Balloon festival!

One Non-New Mexico Item – Musical Conversations with Jesus

I was a bit caught off-guard this week when I realized that the season to reflect upon the death and resurrection of our Lord is here – Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, was this past Wednesday…and we are steadily moving toward Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

The Gospel Coalition put out what looks to be a fantastic, free play list (through Spotify or Apply Music) recently. I’ve not yet had a chance to sample the offerings, but at first glance, the list looks to contain some excellent music to use in the preparation of our hearts for this time of remembrance, repentance and rejoicing: Conversations with Jesus

I have several things on my mind tonight.

I figure the best way to relate them is to write them here–as briefly as possible. ;

Something I hadn’t thought about before

Easter is a very special time for me. It’s because it was Easter a few years ago that I settled my belief in a personal Jesus. The story of Thomas, found in John 20:24-29 struck my very marrow. I was Thomas, wanting evidence of Jesus “realness”. Wanting hard evidence that proved that Jesus was real. But then it hit me—I was different, therefore I was the evidence. God had made me different. I was no longer the hard unbeliever who turned to alcohol to numb the pain. No, I was different. My heart of stone had been replaced with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). When Thomas saw the evidence–the nail prints in Jesus’ hands, he proclaimed “My Lord and my God!” And that Easter, I was able to say “My Lord and My God!”

But I read something today that caused me to think. Easter really is no different than any other Sunday. Here’s what I mean….each and every Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of our Jesus. Each and every Sunday. Sure, we give it a unique and special emphasis on ‘Easter Sunday”, but our hearts should be prepared for such worship each Sunday. But do we approach it like that? I know, being in ministry for many years, that the goal sometimes seems to be to “hit a home run” on Easter Sunday–in the worship music, in the sermon, in the attendance. But what if we approached each and every Sunday that way, expectant and praying for God to move. For people to become believers. For the miracle of the resurrection to be celebrated with exuberant joy and quiet contemplation and prayer?

Something to definitely think about.

Maundy Thursday

The Thursday during “Holy Week” is typically when Jesus’ last supper with his apostles is remembered. Some churches gather for communion together. I remember one Easter where the deacons dressed as the Apostles and reenacted the last supper. But in keeping with my thoughts from my blog Dying on a Friday, I’ve thought today what a last supper with friends would be like. The joy of being together. The grief of knowing that the end was soon. But what about this? What about sharing that last, intimate meal, with the one that you knew was going to betray you? Would I be able to love my enemy enough to do that? Would you? Jesus did. He sat there, knowing that Judas was going to betray Him. He served Judas the meal. He washed his feet! Even when Judas approached Jesus in the garden to do the heinous act, Jesus referred to him as “friend”. (Matt 26:50) Friend! The love that this required is overwhelming.

It’s beyond comprehension.

And yet the very next day Jesus gave His life for you and I. Out of obedience to His Father. Out of His love for you and I.

Sometimes I don’t know what to think about Paul.

I read a passage of scripture today that once again made me wonder about who, exactly, Paul was. His words, his writings are so important. So rich in doctrine and teaching relevant for the first century church and relevant to us today. But sometimes I just don’t get him. This was one such passage: 1 Corinthians 15:3-10. But I don’t want to get into that here, I’ll save that for another post. But I do want to focus on one scripture, and that’s 1 Corinthians 15:10; here’s the first part of it (though I recommend you use the link to read the entire passage in context):

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

I’d never really seen this verse before. By the grace of God, I am what I am. And what is that? A believer in Christ. A worship leader. A single mom of four amazing kids. A divorcee. A victim, and yet an overcomer. A failure so often. A nerd. A writer. A hard worker. A person with many, many flaws. And who are you? Who are you? By the grace of God, you are who you are. And I am what I am. And this is what I want: that His grace toward me will not be in vain. That I will not live the remainder of this short life in such a way that His grace toward me was in vain. No. I want His grace in me to make a difference in this world. Do you?

Getting to Teach

I’m sure that you do, too.I’m so excited. I’ve been asked to teach a women’s Bible study this summer on the book of James. I don’t know if I’m more excited that I’ll get the opportunity to teach, or that I’ll get the opportunity to dig deeply into the book of James. Probably the latter, if I am honest. James is such a practical book about living authentically for Christ. Central is Faith. I am so looking forward to the privilege of learning and ministering this summer, on Tuesday nights. I hope many of you will join us on this journey!

Goodbye Google Reader

I’m sad that Google is pulling Google Reader. I’ve been a faithful user of it over the past few years. But alas, they are taking it away. So today I migrated to feedly.com. I’ll let you know how it goes. And along those same lines, I’ve added a couple of new pages….one that lists my favorite apps and tools for productivity and a page for Bible Study tools. I hope you’ll check them out and that maybe you’ll find something helpful there!

Bethany’s Surgery

Tomorrow is Bethany’s big day! She will undergo surgery at Riverside where they will do some reconstructive work on her airway and palate, as well as remove her tonsils and adenoids. We’ve discovered she has severe sleep apnea–this will help to lessen that greatly, causing her to get much more restful sleep at night. Also, she’ll be able to smell, to taste things in a whole new and different way than ever before. We are so grateful for God’s hand in this. Had Bethany not won the essay contest for free braces, she would not have had the MRI that diagnosed this potentially lifelong problem. God is merciful.

Please be in prayer for her. The doctor says she’ll experience quite a bit of pain for quite a long time, that recovery will be slow. She’ll pretty much be down and out for 7-10 days. But while she is nervous, she is also excited, and I’m excited for her as well. Even so, we would appreciate your prayers. For Bethany. For the doctor as he operates. For me as I wait. That’s one of the many downfalls of being a single parent–there is no one else to worry with you. 🙂 But seriously, I do appreciate your prayers as I take the next few days to care for my girl. I’m grateful for a job where I can work from home, so I can take care of her. We will miss Good Friday services, but I still plan on helping to lead worship Easter Sunday morning because my big girl has offered to stay with her that morning.

I love my crew.