Easter Just Boggles My Mind

LENT. Jesus gave His life for me. How could giving up desserts for Him compare? I know my weakness. I'd stuff my tummy full on Ash Wednesday and yearn for Easter Monday when I could do it all over again. Giving up something in hopes that it will please God or help me understand the sacrifice Jesus made for me didn't work at my house. Jesus wants all of me--not just my appetite.

PALM SUNDAY. Branches wave! People praise! Hosanna to the Highest! Where am I in that crowd? Oh, I'd be leading the pack, certainly I would. How I love my Jesus.

THE LAST SUPPER. Solemn. Precious last moments with Jesus. I'd be right there resting my head on Jesus' heart, taking in every last word from His lips. Surely, Lord, I would never leave you.

THE GARDEN. So weak. I'm sure I'd be the first to sleep, and to disappoint, and to let Jesus sweat and pray.

THE CRUCIFIXION. Absolutely, I would not have followed the crowd. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I'd defend Him. Proclaim Him as my Savior and my God! I would not have yelled, "Crucify Him!" I'm sure, aren't I?

THE RESURRECTION. He's not dead? He's alive! I'm beginning to understand. My mind is a turmoil of emotions and love and commitment and THANKSGIVING to God for His great Salvation Plan.

THE APPEARANCE. Elaine, do you love Me? Elaine, do you truly love Me? Elaine, do you love me more than you love your husband, or your children, or your comforts, or your home, or your wealth, or your position, or your life?

I love You, Lord. I truly love You. Forgive me for all the times I say "I love You" with my lips and disprove it with my thoughts and actions.

I give my whole heart to You knowing that serenity comes from a life crucified with Christ.

Oh Blessed Resurrection Day!

Elaine

I gave up sugar; He gave up His life

I'm ashamed. My plan (and my doctor's advice) was to give up sugar for Lent. I don't think my resolve lasted 30 minutes. Fallen again, I picked myself up and realized how silly to think I can deny myself sugar and somehow please God. He wants my heart more than He wants my waistline.

If surrendering all sweets during this Holy Season for the purpose of losing weight is my goal; I am thinking of self. My heart isn't truly trying to please God who sacrificed Himself for me. How ridiculous to think giving up something for a short time will somehow make God happy and gain me access to the Holy One.

Forgive me, Lord. I give you my heart not just for Lent and Easter, but every day as a sacrifice of praise for what You did for me. You died on the cross to take the punishment for my sins so that I can be acceptable to God. Then You rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. How blessed am I that You now sit at the right hand of the Father praying for me--waiting for me to join You one day. You are amazing! You are my Savior!

I give my heart and my life to You, Jesus. Thank You for the abundant life on earth and eternal life in Heaven promised to those who believe that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son--Jesus--that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. I pray for the readers of this blog. May they know the joy of their salvation.

Serenity comes when you surrender to the Savior. May this truth hit you like a splash today.

If you want to be sure you are on your way to Heaven, please email me at SplashesofSerenity@yahoo.com.

Blessed Easter,
Elaine

A Passion for Christ

The passion of Christians who loved God a generation or two ago challenges me. A.B. Simpson, A.W. Tozer, R.A. Torrey, Hannah Whitall Smith, Amy Carmichael, and Elizabeth Prentiss are a few of my favorites authors. They had a commitment and a depth that I lack and I want.

I've heard the old-time Camp stories of the Holy Spirit moving and people placing their jewelry, wedding, and engagement rings in the offering plate. Where did those days go? Why are my rings still on my fingers? Does the Holy Spirit speak to hearts today as He did 100 years ago? Absolutely!

Soon jewelry will be missing from the hands of Mary Jo Kowalewski and Lesley Paparone. They traveled to Bosnia; saw the empty eyes, the hopeless faces, and the need to tell the lost sheep in Sarajevo that there is a Shepherd who loves them. Selling their engagement rings and giving the money to fund a Community Center in Sarajevo was their response. They talk of having their husband's names engraved on their wedding ring fingers. Yes, God is at work in my generation. You can read about it at http://jewelsforbih.blogspot.com.

Hearing this story brought Amy Carmichael to my mind. She wrote, "God never wore a chain of gold. He wore a crown of thorns. His hands and feet were not jeweled, but pierced." Yes, God's hands are pierced not just with nails, but with a tattoo. He said, "I will not forget you! See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;" Isaiah 49:16

I pray that Lesley and Mary Jo will gaze at their tattooed fingers and be blessed by the One Who has them engraved in the palms of His Hands.

As a Christ follower, I need to be alert to the Holy Spirit's leading. Jesus has not yet directed me to sell my engagement ring, but He does desire I be sold out for Him. This Lenten Season I ask myself, "Do I love Jesus? Do I truly love Him? Would I give to Him anything He asks of me?" I pray my actions and words say, "I do, Jesus, You are engraved in my heart."

Splashes of Serenity that comes from a heart surrendered to Jesus is wished for you,

Elaine