Double Portion Inspiration

As I write this, it's Easter. For the first time on Easter, I've attended church and experienced communion on FaceBook Live. It was nice to gather in my own home with not only my physical family but also my church family. It's been quite a long time that I've dressed for church without wearing Spanx. 😁 There was a beautiful garden and an empty tomb. There was a prophecy declared (Isaiah 53) and prophecy fulfilled. But there was also weeping, sadness, confusion, doubt, fear and grieving on that first Easter Sunday. Mary Magdalene came and found an empty tomb. It was reason to celebrate yet she was confused wondering what happened to the missing body of Jesus. And they said to her, " Woman, why are you weeping ?" ~ John 20:13 NASB Why was Mary weeping? The empty tomb was a sign of a promise fulfilled. In light of all of the emotions that day, the disciples and Mary forgot the promise that Jesus gave about his death but also his resurrection . ...

If you knew, in just a matter of hours a brutal beating of your body would take place, what would you do? If you knew that you would have one last meal with your friends before your horrific death, what would be your demeanor? If you knew, in only hours, your head would bleed profusely due to a crown of thorns being jammed into it, how would you react? If you knew your mom would have to witness your back being ripped open and your hands and feet nailed to a cross, could you even sleep? What about if you knew, your shed blood and broken body would redeem people who would never even say thank you. How would you respond? If you knew ...... I've wondered about the answer to those questions. Today in church our teaching Pastor taught about the excruciating pain Jesus endured before dying on the cross. Simply, it was difficult to hear. It birthed inside of me a spirit of gratitude for His supreme sacrifice. To know that His passion for us was so strong and deep...

Roslyn-Easter 2011 The Superbowl Sunday of Christianity (Easter) is over and we resume our normal routine.  It is the biggest and holiest holiday for so many people.  Churches plan for months the activities that will take place on Easter Sunday.  Ministry workers and volunteers spend the week before Easter planting Spring flowers, decorating, stuffing eggs, cleaning and a host of other tasks to get ready for the huge amount of visitors. The crowds of parishioners on Easter is huge.  Unfortunately, some people won't come back to church until Mother's day or Christmas so their is a lot at stake.  Sunrise service, kids Easter programs and beach baptisms are just a few of the ways we commemorate the special day.  Ministers try to craft a message that will appeal and hopefully not offend those that are coming to church for the first time.  Easter services are held outside at a rodeo, under a tent, a football stadium or some even go to the expense to re...

Today we recognize Good Friday which symbolizes Jesus Christ's agonizing death on the cross.  He gave up His life for the entire world.  Whether or not you recognize and rejoice in His passionate sacrifice for us, He still died on your behalf.  Regardless of your past mistakes or present faults, Christ wants you to be a part of His family . 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." He desires that ALL might be saved. All means ALL and that includes you! John 3:16-17 (NLT) “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." You may have never walked into a church or been offered a relationship with Christ.  ...

 Not a picture of Renee's legs!  I’ve made a decision to run a half marathon in November. The thought of running 13 miles is overwhelming to say the least. Training during the brutal heat of the summer months in Florida is even more discouraging but my mind is made up and I’m going to do it! This is a big decision for me. My driving force in making the decision is the fact that I know how great it feels to cross the finish line. I vividly remember my first 5K in 2005. My husband patiently waited in the warmth of the September sun for me to cross the finish line. It took so long, he wondered if I would finish the race. Wheelchairs and mothers with strollers were sailing across the finish line and I was nowhere in sight. When I rounded the corner in the final stretch of the race, I took comfort in hearing his cheers and seeing the smile on my daughter’s face. My second wind kicked in and I crossed the finish line as if I were an Olympic track star. Immediately, I forg...