Eternal life

One Unexpected Morning

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:15-16 ESV

Mary Magdalene had not come to the tomb of Jesus because she thought that Jesus was alive, but to show respect for the dead. But then the most unexpected thing in all of history happened. Jesus came to meet her! And Mary’s story is the story of everyone who has ever put their faith in Jesus Christ. We all have this one thing in common. He has come unexpectedly. Just like Mary, this Easter. you may be wondering where Jesus went in your life. Or, maybe like the disciples, you are hiding out behind locked doors. But when Jesus comes, everything changes, not just because of our faith, but because of His grace. The most wonderful news of the universe is standing right in front of us. Jesus is alive and is calling our name. How will you answer Him? The most important step of faith anyone could ever take is to fall at His feet, just as Mary did, and simply believe. Though we may not have been expecting Him, He has been expecting us and He is waiting for you today!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that you have risen from the grave, just as You said. I ask that you forgive my sins and I thank you for all you have done and thank you for your gift of eternal life!

The Ancient Maple

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV


The Ancient Maple has a classroom
Among the Birch, and Fern
High above the forest shadows
Where we may come to learn

 Teaching first the Winter’s lesson
How beneath the drifts of snow
The sap is waiting in its roots 
On God’s call for it to flow 

And how in Spring the buds fly open
Clothing limbs with leaves
To catch the sun that gives them life
And grow as God is pleased

Till comes the frost splashing with colors
Painting leaves with pink and crimson
To show off their hidden treasures
Then letting go when they are done


The Ancient Maple 
by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2023 © all rights reserved
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

The Palette We Are Given

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10 Amp

It is true that life is short, but a morbid contemplation of how quickly it passes misses the point of why we are alive. God created each of us to be artists and the hours we are given are the colors He chose for us to use. Yes, some folks have been given far brighter hues than us, but don’t let that discourage you. Their daisy chain may only need robin’s egg blue for the sky and white and yellow for its petals, but your sunset, will demand all those darker shades, that God has dabbed on your palette. Every morning God hands each of us a blank canvas and places a brush in our hands. So, let’s begin today with flair, sketch out a design of doing and plan a portrait of praise. The colors we have, whether shocking and stark or gentle and subdued can all be brushed on to His glory. For He is the great Master Artist and He has painted us into existence and included us in His design to give Him praise forever!

Photo by Steve Johnson on Pexels.com