He is Risen!

"He is risen!"

This is my favorite Easter greeting...I love to see who replies "He is risen indeed!" Just imagine walking down the dirt roads in the days after Jesus rose from the dead and instead of saying "Hey" or "How goes it?" or "Hello there" you exclaim to the passers-by "He is risen!" and they exclaim back "He is risen indeed!"

I'm thinking those who initiated that greeting were a lot less likely to forget what He had done for us! I think if I were a passerby, maybe thinking about those things that were weighing me down, and someone greeted me with "He is risen!" I might just put those weighty things in their proper place...At least I hope I would. =D

Here we are 2000 years later, and the simple truth remains...HE IS RISEN! He has conquered sin and death! The work He did at Calvary has not been diminished one bit! We are still free from sin and death! And, He still provides our every (lesser) need after that!

So...what's weighing on you today? Whatever it is, look yourself in the mirror and exclaim:

HE IS RISEN!

If your load does not get lighter, call me and exclaim "He is risen!" and I will remind you "He is risen indeed!" Then I will ask you what burden is heavier than this truth!

Lesson from Habakkuk 3

So often as a parent (these past 12 years) I have noticed that God has made a habit of using my child, her life situations, and yes - even her school work, to teach me something new...

Well, this evening - which has now turned into tomorrow morning - I was preparing tomorrow's school work...The history lesson is on Habakkuk...the assignment? To read Habakkuk 3:17-19, a hymn of praise written to the Lord, and then to write a modernized version of it that would apply to the student's life today. You know, "If the car doesn't start, yet I will rejoice in the Lord..."

So, I went ahead and read the passage...and this is where the Lord said "Are you paying attention?" You see, while Brianna will complete this assignment, it was really ordained for me. Me...who had a temper tantrum in the kitchen Tuesday night, threw things, stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me.

This is not my norm...So as I sat on the swing in our front yard I was asking "What just happened? Where did that come from?" The Lord was SO kind to not hesitate in answering. I had been walking in fear, and not in perfect love. I had been leaving myself open to the firey darts of the enemy, and I had been bombarded...things like the dishwasher tablet hadn't dissolved even though the dishwasher had been run twice...and the cutting board was melted to the stovetop...and the dinner fell on the floor...it all happened at once, and I took the sinful road instead of the righteous road. And there I found myself, sitting on the swing, in the cold night air...until just a few minutes later when my dear, sweet husband came out, walked across the lawn, sat down beside me, put his arm around me, drew me into his side, and pressed my head to his shoulder. Of course, the fear started melting away...And then he began to speak softly to me...drawing me out...reassuring me...and even correcting me. What an example of Christ-likeness my husband is to me! I am SO grateful for My David!

Well, this evening I met with my home group ladies and we were to come ready to share JUST ONE THING that the Lord is bringing to the surface...Jamey asked the question, and out it came...FEAR. Both Jamey and Erin were able to point me back to the Lord, and my husband, which is always so helpful! We talked about the worst things that could happen...and in light of eternity none of those things I was fearing matter! It's so helpful to gain a divine perspective!

Just two hours later, here I was, organizing the history assignment...MY assignment from the Lord! SO, here goes...Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord, followed by Colleen Rejoices in the Lord...

Habakkuk Rejoices in the Lord
Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength;

He makes my feet like the deer's;

He makes me tread on my high places.

Colleen Rejoices in the Lord

Though the dishwasher isn't washing,
nor does the freezer make ice,
the water is contaminated
and we need a new well,
the mortgage isn't paid
and there be no money in the bank,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
He makes my husband wise like Solomon;
He makes me see with eternal eyes.

What do eternal eyes let me see? It's all God's stuff! He knows what needs to be fixed and what needs to be paid for...And HE has unlimited resources to take care of it all! And however HE chooses to take care of it...is the best for us! So I rejoice! I rejoice because HE IS GOD! I rejoice because HE IS MY PROVIDER! I rejoice because HE did not leave me where I was (in fear) but encouraged my heart and soul, reminding me AGAIN of who HE IS! If He takes interest and care in helping me through my temper tantrum, I can only believe that He takes interest and care in helping me with the rest of what is weighing on me...and this causes my heart to rejoice ALL THE MORE! HE IS SO FAITHFUL!

Are you rejoicing in the Lord today??? If you are struggling to rejoice maybe you could write your own version of this passage to help you along...It sure did work for me!