He Has Risen!!!

     Easter's coming up on Sunday; also known as Resurrection Sunday. Some people celebrate by going easter egg hunting, painting eggs, and petting the easter bunny. Other's celebrate it by singing songs and reading in the Bible about the story of Jesus' resurrection.

      What is Easter Sunday, and why do we celebrate it?
   
     Easter Sunday (AKA Resurrection Sunday) Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.

     Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. Essentially, what occurred is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus' resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.

     The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1,19). Jesus' resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). While it is appropriate for Jesus' resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus' resurrection is celebrated should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus' resurrection on a Sunday.

     As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far more appropriate and biblical. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus' resurrection.

     By all means, celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ's resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior. (http://www.gotquestions.org/)

     "...But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay...'"

Have a great week celebrating our Savior's resurrection!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

     For those of you who don't know who St. Patrick was, or would like a little refresher, I've copied and pasted a paragraph of who he was. Enjoy!

     "Patrick spread the Word of God across Ireland after he was kidnapped by pirates at age fourteen and sold as a slave to be a shepherd. He later escaped back to his homeland of England where a few years later was given a vision from God to study for the priesthood, be ordained, and then go back to Ireland. Through all his sufferings his faith in the Lord was tested and proved and Patrick went on to preach the Gospel all across Ireland (famously using the shamrock as an analogy for the Trinity) and build churches there to the glory of God. The quote in this devotional is from his poem of trust in God called “The Breastplate”.

     There are many songs based on this famous quote that Saint Patrick wrote. However, this is one of my favorite's below. Have a wonderful St. Patrick's day ya'll!

Enjoying Life's Simple Moments

     This past week has been quite the busy week for my husband and I. Between babysitting, running errands, and keeping the house clean, our life has been busy.
     This past week I babysit some kids from church. My husband ended up meeting up with us afterwork and we just stayed for dinner. Josh was reading a book to a couple of the kids, and I couldn't help but think to myself, "What a great man I have!" I've learned, and I'm still learning, to look at life's simple moments, and enjoying them. Instead of looking at a disaster and getting stressed out about it, I try as best as I can to look at it as a lesson.
     The day I was babysat this week, I double booked myself, because this brain of mine, just doesn't work sometimes. So, I ended up switching my Piano Lesson with a student around, and my appointment with my midwife. Instead of looking at it from the perspective that I forgot something yet again, I tried to look at it from a different perspective. If I hadn't babysat that day, I wouldn't have had the joy of reading to the kids or playing games with them.
     Because of our week this last week, I told my husband, "I feel like we've been so busy this whole week, that I haven't really gotten to sit down with you, to have some quality time, and to talk." Maybe that's why I was so blessed to take this picture... 

     I love watching my husband hold kids or play with them. I love watching life's simple moments that pass by so quickly. It seemed like not that long ago that I lived in Colorado and wondered if I'd ever find a man out there. Of course, God knew I would. ;)
     Since being married, I've learned a little bit more to really stop and smell the roses. I've learned that no matter the circumstance, know that God will get you through it. I've learned to not let life pass you by as you just sit, watch, and wait. I've learned that God gives each of us, an opportunity to take a deep breath, and just enjoy those moments that pass so quickly.

     "A merry heart does good, like medicine..." ~Proverbs 17:22
     "You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~Psalm 16:11

     So, when you see life's simple moments, don't forget to smile. Take a deep breath, and take it all in. It won't be there forever; after all, it's just a moment.

•  Has there been a time in your life when you've stopped to smell the roses?
• What are some of your favorite moments that happen on a daily/weekly basis?
• Are there any Bible Verses that help you in those times?

A Post of Thankfulness and a baby bump

 Here's a 25 1/2 weeks baby bump selfie of myself and the baby. ;)
     Bending down and walking is getting a tad bit harder these days, and standing up for a long period of time is practically impossible! ;)
     The last week or two, the weather has been so nice that my husband and I have been taking walks in the evening together. We live in a very small town, so we have a couple gas stations near us, a diner, and a Family Dollar store.
     I can't tell you often enough how amazed I am by Gods goodness to me over the years. My husband is a treasure to me every day, and I wouldn't trade him for the world.
    Josh and I celebrated our 1st anniversary this last week. We celebrated by going to a restaurant, going window shopping at a mall nearby, seeing a movie, and going home to rest. When I look over the past year, and see what God done for my husband and I, I'm so amazed! It's even more amazing how God brought us together!... in His timing!
     So, this post isn't really one of my normal posts, but rather one of thankfulness to God for giving me a wonderful husband! Josh was so worth the wait! On top of that, we have a baby boy on the way! God is good!
     While we're on the topic of thankfulness, thank you to my readers for reading and commenting on my posts. Because of you, I'm able to write about what I love.
Have a great week!