Yesterday was a glorious one- Even the weather cooperated- it was a beautiful sunny Easter Day. In our church, Immanual Baptist, Elgin, we had the organ, trumpet, and choir-as festive as we could make it. José sang (In Spanish) "The Via Dolorosa" while pictures of Jesus carrying the cross and being crucified and buried, and ending with an empty tomb! I had the privilege of walking that sad journey when I visited the Holy Land years ago. it was a very moving experience.
But what now? Yesterday was a "high". Does that make today a "low." I hope not. I hope and pray that we will all allow the power that is available to us through Christ's Holy Spirit-Who lives in every Believer-to make us effective witnesses THIS VERY DAY and all the days to come. Is there someone you should witness to? Is there a letter you should write? A word of encouragement to speak?
May God use all of US as His hands, feet and mouths to a needy and hurting world in the coming days and years.
In His Great Service, Alice
Isaiah 26:12b
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!
This Sunday we celebrate the reason for that little baby born in Bethlehem. Jesus Christ was born to die! That seems like such a contradiction, but it is the absolute truth. God is righteous and just. Somehow, our sins had to be punished in order to satisfy His righteous (just) nature.
Only a sinless person could stand in our place and take the "rap" for our sins. No human being could do this, because "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Through God's grace (giving us something good that we don't deserve) and His mercy ( not giving us something bad that we DO deserve) He sent part of Himself, His Son, to become the God-man, Jesus Christ. He became the sin-bearer for each and every person on planet earth. He died for you and me. But if that were the end of it, all would have been in vain. The big thing is that He rose from the dead and lives right now! And, through His Holy Spirit, He lives in the lives of all Believers-guiding, comforting, convicting. How glad I am that I gave my life to this wonderful Saviour when I was fourteen years old. I've never been sorry for my decision to live for Him.
May you have a Blessed Easter. Remember, it's not Easter bunnies, colorful eggs and new clothes. These things are fun, but the real thing is that this is the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead- God's provision to satisfy both His righteousness and His mercy. In John 3:16 we read "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Only a sinless person could stand in our place and take the "rap" for our sins. No human being could do this, because "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Through God's grace (giving us something good that we don't deserve) and His mercy ( not giving us something bad that we DO deserve) He sent part of Himself, His Son, to become the God-man, Jesus Christ. He became the sin-bearer for each and every person on planet earth. He died for you and me. But if that were the end of it, all would have been in vain. The big thing is that He rose from the dead and lives right now! And, through His Holy Spirit, He lives in the lives of all Believers-guiding, comforting, convicting. How glad I am that I gave my life to this wonderful Saviour when I was fourteen years old. I've never been sorry for my decision to live for Him.
May you have a Blessed Easter. Remember, it's not Easter bunnies, colorful eggs and new clothes. These things are fun, but the real thing is that this is the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead- God's provision to satisfy both His righteousness and His mercy. In John 3:16 we read "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Saturday, March 8, 2008
More Broken Ice
This has been an exciting week for me-three big things happened. Last Saturday, I was able to attend my grandson Sammy's birthday party in Waukesha, WI, followed by a production of The Sound of Music, put on by the students of the High School/Grammar School where Tom and Jen teach and the children attend. Granddaughter Abby was Louisa. I was very proud of her!
Secondly, Jack and I went to the opera downtown Chicago. Even though I had bought the complete series, I have not been able to go, myself. I gave all the other tickets away. Even this week, I wasn't sure how I would do, but I had several spare canulas, in case my trach got clogged. So, I was well prepared and managed famously. I prayed that I wouldn't start coughing or choking. Neither happened. What we saw was Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin- the singing was great; the orchestra good; but the sets were minimal and disappointing. Nevertheless, I was glad I could go.
The other thing that I attended was a meeting of Judson's Emeriti Faculty. The part I went to was a dinner, which I couldn't eat, of course. But the conversation was great, and it was good to be back on Judson's campus after six months! The people are the same, but the school no longer is a College-It is a University. I have to get used to that. I went bare headed-some dark hair has grown back, and I ventured out without a head covering or a wig! In another month it won't look too bad.
Another "ICE" I'd like to break is shopping. I have not set a foot in any store in six months. It may be traumatic- especially for my budget! But hopefully I'll be in "full swing" soon. Every day I feel more and more like "human being" again, although I spend much of the day doing therapy- especially speech. That would be something I would covet your prayers about. I have a device call Thera-bite, which is helping me get my jaw open more. The treatment has to be done seven times a day, which keeps me busy. Also, I must spend much time breathing in moist air to keep the secretions thin. So, I'm busy with all that, but am also finding time to work on the sequel to Do Not Go, My Love.
Thank you all for your prayers. I'm eager to find out the results of the last CT Scan. That will tell a lot, I think, as to whether the cancer is gone or not.
Here is a wonderful verse. Look it up Job 9:10
In His Great Service, Alice
Secondly, Jack and I went to the opera downtown Chicago. Even though I had bought the complete series, I have not been able to go, myself. I gave all the other tickets away. Even this week, I wasn't sure how I would do, but I had several spare canulas, in case my trach got clogged. So, I was well prepared and managed famously. I prayed that I wouldn't start coughing or choking. Neither happened. What we saw was Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin- the singing was great; the orchestra good; but the sets were minimal and disappointing. Nevertheless, I was glad I could go.
The other thing that I attended was a meeting of Judson's Emeriti Faculty. The part I went to was a dinner, which I couldn't eat, of course. But the conversation was great, and it was good to be back on Judson's campus after six months! The people are the same, but the school no longer is a College-It is a University. I have to get used to that. I went bare headed-some dark hair has grown back, and I ventured out without a head covering or a wig! In another month it won't look too bad.
Another "ICE" I'd like to break is shopping. I have not set a foot in any store in six months. It may be traumatic- especially for my budget! But hopefully I'll be in "full swing" soon. Every day I feel more and more like "human being" again, although I spend much of the day doing therapy- especially speech. That would be something I would covet your prayers about. I have a device call Thera-bite, which is helping me get my jaw open more. The treatment has to be done seven times a day, which keeps me busy. Also, I must spend much time breathing in moist air to keep the secretions thin. So, I'm busy with all that, but am also finding time to work on the sequel to Do Not Go, My Love.
Thank you all for your prayers. I'm eager to find out the results of the last CT Scan. That will tell a lot, I think, as to whether the cancer is gone or not.
Here is a wonderful verse. Look it up Job 9:10
In His Great Service, Alice
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
