Resurrection

For Our Good and Mr Turtle

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A few folks might have wondered why I haven’t been posting and suffice it to say that the last 4-5 days have been filled with everything I own is breaking. The dryer only works if you shake it, the older of our two cars has an incurable disease that Suzuki doesn’t make the parts for anymore and my new lap top is on its way back to Dell. When God says that all things work together for my good I always wish I got to pick which things. But since that is obviously not the plan of my loving invisible Father I have decided that must mean I need to stop complaining and wishing for what I think of as better times and start doing what I can with what He does give.

One great thing God allowed was that on Saturday we were given permission for the first time to meet indoors with the Seniors from Sunshine Christian Village. Even in Florida, Winter can mean some chilly days for folks coming in on Jazzy scooters and wheel chairs. With the indoor venue it was heart warming to see a larger group come. We were all with masks and spaced about 10′ apart so it was as safe and far more blessed than a trip to Walmart. Unfortunately I can’t show the video yet so I’m posting a classic from a few years back that I pray will be a blessing to you.

Mr. Turtle and Life From the Dead

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31 ESV

Long ago I brought home a little turtle I had found crawling across the road. As I walked in the door that afternoon our two young sons rushed over to see what I was holding. They were so excited to see this curious new pet and they quickly made up a box for him complete with water and grass. But Mr. Turtle wanted nothing to do with his cardboard home. He wouldn’t eat or drink anything. In fact each day he grew weaker until finally he barely moved. We sadly explained to our boys that Mr. Turtle was sick and needed to be set free.  Our car was filled with an atmosphere of mourning as we drove out of town, to find a spot to release him. Finding a quiet wooded area we pulled over then took him gently out of his box and put him on the ground. At first Mr. Turtle remained motionless, but after a minute he slowly eased one foot out of his shell and then the other. Finally he poked out his head, stood up and raced away as fast as his stubby legs could carry him!  Mr. Turtle’s surprising ending reminded me of another story. It made me remember the day that they buried Jesus and walked sadly away. But just three days later He placed first one foot, then the other on the ground; sat up, ran out of the grave and into the light!

Three Short Days

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Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb John 20:1 ESV

With snow seemingly falling everywhere except Florida this year, I am reminded of the year before we moved here and Scranton was buried under twenty four inches of snow. Cars were completely covered, our street was closed for two days and everyone’s schedule came to a screeching halt! But then just three weeks later, with the temperatures reaching almost 80 degrees, the snow vanished. What a difference those three short weeks made!

Yup that’s my car (I think!)

One Sunday morning 2000 years ago just think what a difference three short days made. On Friday the disciples fled in fear. When Joseph and Nicodemus put Jesus into the tomb it seemed that all their hopes lay cold and dead in the grave. But on that dark morning of the third day, when Mary came she discovered in astonishment that the stone had been rolled back and the grave stood empty!  Then Jesus Himself drew near. Mary mistook Him for a simple gardener, until He called her name and then she was filled with joy. Not much has changed in 2000 years. We may think of Jesus as a great teacher, a loving healer or a simple carpenter, but we only know Him when He comes and calls our name! What a difference those three short days have made!

Jesus Bread of Heaven – Devotional for Lent

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When I was a boy I loved the smells coming from the kitchen when my mom baked bread. I could hardly wait for her to hand me a warm slice slathered with butter right from the oven. We need to ask ourselves if we are also longing to know God like that. Are we eager to come into His presence and receive a fresh word from Him each day? Now is the time to set our sights again to that first Easter morning when Mary came to the tomb and became the first one to see our risen Lord! Jesus Bread of Heaven includes a devotional reading for each day from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. As we begin Lent begin with your reading and then take time to pray and then listen to what God has to say. Only He can lead us through our problems and on to all that He has planned for us in life!

If you are looking for a devotional to read during lent; Jesus bread of Heaven is a daily reader that comes in both standard as well as large print. While this edition carries many of my classic Easter themed devotionals it also offers a fresh perspective on all we have experienced during the Covid-19 crisis, elections and craziness of this past year. Let’s refocus on Jesus, who gives us hope as we as we put our faith in Him and the miracle of Easter.