Resurrection

Good News From the Dead

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And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? Luke 24:5 ESV

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One spring day when our boys were small, I brought home a turtle I had found on the road. They excitedly helped as we made up a box with a water dish, grass, and stones. But our turtle wanted nothing to do with his new home. He never drank the water, nor ate a single piece of bread. Each day he grew weaker, until by the end of the week he lay motionless. We felt the best thing was to return him to the swamp where he could spend his final days in peace….

To read the rest of the story click on the link to Christian Devotions US February 18th for the full article…

Good News From the Dead

My Easter Miracle

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This is the first of two parts of how one young lost hippie (Me) came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In a nutshell you could summarize the events as how my plans became God’s. Though almost 46 years have passed and not all of them have been a “And He lived happily ever after” thing – but I can truthfully say that it has been a “He was changed for ever after” life that God has given me. Enough of introduction. I pray you will be blessed.

 Part One – How I found Easter

In 1971 I was just another 19 year old hippie trying to figure life out. That night I found myself along a lonely stretch of desert on the highway between LA and Phoenix. My tentative goal was 2,800 miles away with my grandparents the only people I was certain would take me in. All day I had been hitch-hiking and my last ride dropped me at a highway rest area just before their exit.  Night was beginning to fall and I reasoned that the top of one of the picnic tables was probably the safest refuge from snakes and scorpions. So I rolled out my sleeping bag and struggled into it trying not to fall off the edge of the table. There I lay looking up into a vast sky filled with stars wondering where I belonged as I fell asleep.

arizona asphalt beautiful blue sky

Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com

In spite of the occasional tractor trailer roaring by, amazingly I slept soundly and woke feeling refreshed just as the sun began to rise.  Though my wallet sheltered just two one dollar bills keeping each other company I didn’t waste time worrying, instead I began looking for someone willing to give me a ride into the next town. That is when I met Barry. He looked to be just a couple of years older than me and judging from the happy look on his face I figured he might be willing to help.

“Hi, my name’s Peter and I wondered if you might be willing to give me a ride towards Flagstaff” I asked trying to sound relaxed.

“Not going that way till tonight.” Barry answered. “We’re headed into Phoenix to go to church right now. If you want to come with us there’s a free lunch and then tonight we can take you as far as we are going.” He said as he headed towards his car.

(Wow a ride and free lunch: what could be better than that?) I thought.  “Sure that’d be fantastic!” I answered smiling as I piled into the back seat of Barry’s car. “This is my friend Kathy.” Barry said as he started the car. She turned around with a friendly smile and waved as we sped up the entrance ramp back out onto the highway.

First we stopped for breakfast at a little dinner and then we headed into North Phoenix. The desert gradually disappeared being replaced by wide avenues lined with homes, palm trees and heavy traffic. I was amazed at how friendly these strangers were towards me but besides asking me a few questions about where I was going they didn’t pry into my business so I relaxed and began to eagerly look forward to whatever lay that day.

Once we pulled into the church parking lot at the church people Barry introduced me to a few of the other young people who were milling around outside the door of the small church. Most of them quickly moved inside and up towards the front, while I found a safer looking seat as far in the back as I could. As I listened in on the conversations around me it suddenly dawned on me that this was not just any Sunday; it was Easter! There I sat feeling like a visitor from a distant star system wondering where I had landed. All around were people smiling and talking to me as if I was some expected guest or long lost relative…. 1547284597980_image.jpg

Come back tomorrow for the rest of the story Part Two  How Easter Found Me

 

Things Left Behind

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He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6 KJV

imported from phone 1942

It is often told of how Jesus left the wonders of heaven to come to earth; but today we want to also remember what things Jesus left behind before He returned from earth to heaven. First He left the honored place as oldest son and Joseph’s carpenter in order to begin His ministry to the poor and downtrodden. He also left behind His simple village life in exchange for a desert where He fasted and was tempted by the devil for 40 days. Later as people saw the miracles He performed, the crowds grew to multitudes; but Jesus turned and walked away from fame and power.

At the Last Supper Jesus humbled Himself further by taking off His robe in order to wash His disciples’ feet. After the meal He went out into the garden to pray and, piece by piece gave up His will to the Father. Then, Jesus left behind His disciples to be betrayed by Judas and arrested by the soldiers. The next day, He received the death sentence of the cross where He suffered for six mind numbing hours. Last of all with His final breath He gave His spirit into the hands of into His Father.

So, as the sun prepared to rise on the morning of the third day they went to the tomb but they could not find Him because He had already given Himself away!  He left it all behind and has risen from the dead!