Death Has Been Conquered

As I sat in church this morning for Easter service, I was watching as a little 3 year old girl who was in her daddy's arms and hugging him tightly around the neck. We were singing and it suddenly felt like Jesus opened the door and I ran in to my Father and embraced him with a hug of sheer joy and love just as this little girl was hugging her daddy.  This is what Easter truly means. Jesus took that last lock that is on the doorway to the Kingdom of Heaven, the lock called death and conquered it. With that key, he has opened the doorway to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, it's our turn. Do you run in towards your Father thrilled at being with Him again or do you freeze in place, turn away? He gives us the choice because He loves us. Thank you Jesus for unlocking the doorway and allowing us to be together again with our Father.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 333

Do you ever think of God as your Father? Apparently, when Jesus taught the disciples how to pray this first part in calling God “Abba” was revolutionary. An intimate relationship with God as our Father was unheard of. Think of the most intimate relationship you have? Now, imagine that same kind of relationship with God. I can picture a father and son sitting on a pier together fishing or a girl holding her daddy’s hand as he leads her to her school. And what about a young lady who has just had her heart broken by her boyfriend and her dad just holds her in his arms as she cries. Our Father in Heaven is this kind of father. He is the one we can talk to about anything and everything. He is the one who will guide us as we move forward through life and he is the one who will wrap us in his loving arms when we are hurt and in despair. It brings tears to my eyes as I think of my wedding reception and the dance with my father. He was crying throughout the entire dance he was so filled with the emotion of love for me and how I was all grown up. Our Father in Heaven cries when we cry, laughs when we laugh, is sad when we are sad. There is nothing that compares to the love God has for us but the relationship with our earthly father or mother is a glimpse of what our relationship to God can be.

The beginning of effective prayer is the recognition that God possesses a father’s heart, a father’s love, a father’s strength and a father’s concern for the best interest of his children.  http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/lord-teach-us-to-pray-john-hamby-sermon-on-prayer-how-to-49000.asp?Page=2

Luke 11:2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 235

I was making a belated birthday card for my sted-dad because I didn't manage to remember to get it sent soon enough. Typical! I started thinking about that word step-dad. I am assuming the word step is because they are stepping into a role of father, mother, etc. I was 17 when my mom and step-dad got married so I think that role was more like he stepped into the role of being my mom's companion, support, love of her life. My fondest memory of him is when he use to pull on my toes and get the knuckles to crack. Something simple but very cherished. He was the only one to do it! I am so thankful for him and especially what he has brought to my mom's life. Thank you for stepping into the role of dad and sharing your wisdom and love with us. God can do the same for you as a father. He can step into that role and give you wisdom and love you like nobody else. He is our Almighty Father, our Heavenly Daddy, our Abba. Have you let God step into the role of Dad for you?

Romans 8:15 “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father.”

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 17

Today I am praising God for giving me a new perspective every now and than through my children, husband or a friend. My daughter Faith performed in the 3rd grade class musical The Nutcracker this week. She said she had 99% fun and was 1% embarrassed. She's been into percentages lately. The other day she said mom is 99% nice and 1% mean. Daddy is 95% nice and 5% mean and brother Tristan is 75% nice, 15% annoying and 10% mean. Out of the mouth of babes. I just thank God for these little opportunites like this where we can gain a different perspective. When you are feeling down about things or yourself, somehow God always reminds me that my perspective is so often not what everybody else thinks. I have the tendency to be more negative about myself than positive. So my new letter for the month has finally been decided thanks to my new persepctive from God. "P" More on the letter "P" in the days to come.
Matt 6:32-33 "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."