What's Good About Friday?

 

Good Friday is a day to commemorate the death of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the day he went willingly to the cross. He was betrayed, beaten and executed. He gave up His life for me ... and for you.

This Good Friday is extra special for me. 

Just five days ago my cell phone rang. It was my son, and he was calling from his car, which had tumbled down a 300-foot cliff. He and my husband were still inside and alive. Paul had already called the EMT's and was waiting for rescue. 

They had gone off the road about a mile from our home. My dear daughter-in-law sprinted down the snow-covered road to help and to be with her husband. My daughter Sarah and I quickly got dressed and drove down the hill to the crash site. 

When I arrived at the scene, and peered off the edge of the road, I was stunned at how badly damaged the car was, which now sat on a flat spot 300 feet below. My husband had just been loaded into an ambulance and my son was still inside the car. A thump of apprehension went off inside me. I'd been praying, but now my prayers became more specific.

Everyone who has seen the wreckage has no good explanation for Greg and Paul's survival --- except for God's love and intervention.

That morning, since getting the phone call, I had been a bit discombobulated, and yet I felt peace in my core. And the only reason for that stillness inside of me was because of The Cross. Because my Lord had gone to The Cross I had no need to fear for my loved ones. Even if they were to perish that day I knew they were well. Because for a believer to be absent from the body means he is present with the Lord.

I don't want to lose my husband or my son and if that had happened I would be deeply grieved. But I would also be comforted by God's promises to me. 

And so on this Good Friday I am so especially deeply grateful for Jesus sacrifice. He made a way. All we have to do is to trust Him. His love covers all of our sin.

If you haven't met Jesus He's waiting for you. He loves you and is holding out His hand to all who will accept His gift of redemption.

My husband and I are humbly celebrating this exceptional day together.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

 

  

An Irregular Christmas

I'm one of those traditional Christmas folks. I celebrate family traditions handed down from my parents and grandparents, along with some my husband and I have included throughout the years. Christmas Eve is a special time I reserve for me alone. After everyone has gone to bed and the house is quiet I turn on the Christmas lights, enjoy a favorite Christmas movie, and then I often watch a Christmas Eve service on television. After the busy Christmas rush, it is a time to be quiet and to reflect on the season and what it means. If it's not too late I often share some of my thoughts here on my blog.

This year is a bit irregular. But so was the first Christmas.

I'm having my gallbladder removed on December 24th. I'm scheduled for surgery at 7:30 AM and if all goes well I will be home that afternoon. Likely I'll be napping while my family works on their last minute Christmas preparations.

I suppose it sounds kind of crazy to have surgery on Christmas Eve morning, but the other option was mid-January ... too long a wait for this sick puppy. I want to share my thoughts with you today because I probably won't be up late on Christmas Eve this year and if I am I likely won't feel like posting a blog.

This holiday season hasn't been typical .... or maybe it actually has. Between my mother's needs, my own illness, my daughter's illness(she has a couple) and my grandson's issues with a traumatic brain injury the season has felt less merry. But interestingly enough I've been at peace, for the most part. I know it is the Lord who is holding me together.

I'm still loving Christmas. It's a beautiful time of year - not just because people seem friendlier, the shimmering lights in town make life brighter, and Christmas music is uplifting but because it is a time that reminds me of my Savior's birth and God's great sacrifice. Without these there is no hope. And so, in the midst of all the heartache and worry I have found peace and hope.

My favorite Christmas Song

Mary Did You Know

I wish you all peace and joy as you reflect on the beauty and miracle of Christmas. Emmanuel, God with us, was born to deliver us and open the door to heaven.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

The Journey - The Next Step

The last several months have been jam-packed with struggles, some have been exciting and even fun but others have been the detestable type. Most recently, Greg and I moved and before our furniture had found its place in our new home we had to move my mother. I'm grateful my sister and brother were here to help. 

Mom is in her new digs and all of her things are either with her or packed away. I'm resting today and will do some writing. This quiet eddy feels really good.

All that has happened in recent months brings to mind a personality trait of mine that I'm not crazy about. It came up in a snippet of conversation I had with my sister yesterday. I've been a worrier most of my life. I'm a worse-case-scenario kind of gal, which is good when I plot stories, but not so good in real life. 

This morning, while reading a devotional, God shone a light on this weakness and He provided a solution. In "Jesus Calling" it said Trust Me to show you what to do when you have finished what you are doing now. I will guide you step by step, as you bend your will to Mine. Thus stay close to Me on the path of peace.

I went on to read the selected portion of scripture from Luke 1:79. "to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

I felt the Lord nudging me and reminding me life doesn't have to be one big worry. All I need to do is bend my will to Him and then allow Him to show me the next step. I don't have to know everything. I don't have to figure out a plan. I just need to take the next step and trust God to guide me into His place of purpose and peace.

This worrier is going to do her best not to try to figure out all the possibilities, but rather ask the Lord what's next and then do what He suggests. It's time to leave my worries with God and let Him lead.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- In Training

How good it is to be speaking to you today.

Yesterday, Sunday, I woke with a sore back which isn't unusual. I sat and drank a cup of coffee and warmed up my tight muscles on a heating pad, then proceeded to get ready for church. While choosing what I'd wear, my back did its thing, and the next thing I knew I was shuffling to the closest chair and praying I didn't end up on the floor.

It wasn't the first time this had happened. I hoped it would pass quickly. I didn't want to miss church. However, my desires were not to be. Instead, I've been laid up for two days, though I'm happy to say the spasm is giving up some of its power.

I did all the things I know to do--ice, heat and medications. I also admit to shedding a few tears of frustration, which thankfully God understands. And I prayed a lot.

This afternoon, I'm finally able to sit in my chair and work on my computer. Before working, though, I read today's devotional from Jesus Calling. God is so good! He always knows what I need to hear. I want to share the entry with you.

"My peace is like a shaft of golden Light shining on you continuously. During days of bright sunshine, it may blend in with your surroundings. On darker days, My Peace stands out in sharp contrast to your circumstances. See times of darkness as opportunities for My Light to shine in transcendent splendor. I am training you to practice Peace that overpowers darkness. Collaborate with Me in this training. Do not grow weary and lose heart."

Blessed Lord, thank you!

It is His brightness that stands out against the darkness.  If we can praise Him for the dark days we will find the peace God speaks of. It is in our times of weakness that we realize our strength is in Him and it is the trials that teach us to trust in His perfection.

It is clear I need a lot more training, but I will not give up or give in.

Praying you will see the brilliance of His Light.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God: Submit?

How many of you like the word SUBMIT? Come on, be honest. I admit right here in front of God and everyone -- I don't like it. I understand its importance. And even when I'm living a submissive life, rebellion niggles at me.

Why? I'm always asking why. When I was a child, I'm sure I drove my parents mad with all of my "why" questions.

God is good and He understands my need to know why. I can count on Him. He always answers me. Just this week, during Bible Study the topic of submission came up. God's way of addressing my "why" question? Possibly. :-)

The world has distorted the meaning of the word SUBMIT. The enemy is at the core of this distortion. He tosses lies at us and in the barrage we must know the truth if we're to recognize the lie. Like many others I've accepted distortions, including this one.

During our study time on Tuesday I was reminded that throughout his life Christ submitted to The Father. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His arrest, Christ set before us a perfect and exquisite picture of true submission. He fell to the ground and prayed, "Abba Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Christ knew what awaited Him at the hands of those who hated Him. He understood not just the physical torture he would endure, but the spiritual weight of the world's sin that would be placed upon Him as well the separation between Him and His Father that must occur. He and the Father are one. How excruciating that one and only time of separation must have been. Yet, Jesus said yes to all that was required of Him. He submitted to His Father's will.

SUBMIT is a word of excellence. God's divine imprint. Christ submitted to His Father, the Holy Spirit submitted to the Father and the Son. The Church honors and submits to its leaders. A wife submits to her husband (who is to love her as Christ loved the church), and children submit to their parents. We submit to the authorities. God's imprint is everywhere.

What happens when we refuse to submit? The world tells us that life is all "about me". Me. Me. Me. Take a look around. How do you think that's working out?

God's divine imprint is all about relationship. The kind of relationships that honor God, family, friends and leaders. Submission brings order and peace. And our Father is the God Head whom we submit our lives.

Honor Him. You'll like it. I promise.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie