Christ Presented to the People

Christ Presented to the People, Stage 3 by Rembrandt

Christ Presented to the People, Stage 8 by Rembrandt

Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of the Holy Week where Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead...The most important week in Jesus' life and ministry! This message was shared with Chase Oaks during services this weekend by Greg Holmes, and it is too good not to share...

Rembrandt made quite a few changes in the two pieces of art above.  In the final image, Rembrandt cropped some off the top.  He changed a few of the details. But, most notably, he removed the crowd in the foreground - a puzzling decision. The image is still called Christ Presented to the People, but now there are no people.  When Greg first came across these etchings, he was looking at them side by side.  He asked himself, "Where are the people?"  "Who are Pilate and Jesus looking at?"  Then, Greg remembered his mouth just falling open.  They were looking at at us...We are the people!  It wasn't just that crowd 2,000 years ago that has to make a decision about Jesus.  We have to make a decision about Him, too!  I have to admit...This was the part of his sermon that gave me what I like to call Godbumps!  To view the sermon based study, please visit Christ Presented to the People.

Starting today on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday, these readings are designed to focus our attention on Jesus and His love to the uttermost (John 13:1).  These meditations are all excerpted from the preaching and ministry of John Piper.  To download, please visit Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week.

This Easter, we encourage you to start a new tradition with Easter Dinner!  Please visit A Holy Experience for more information.  Thank you to our Brother and Sister in Christ, Chris and Christina, for introducing the Seder tradition to our LifeGroup family...It's an annual event that we look forward to every year!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

The Art Of Neighboring

I recently attended The Art of Neighboring Groups Leadership Conference at Chase Oaks Church and was challenged with this by Dave Runyon... What if Jesus meant that we should love our actual neighbors?

When Jesus was asked to sum up everything into one command, he said to love God with everything we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Most of us have turned this simple idea of loving our neighbors into a nice saying, putting it on bumper stickers and refrigerator magnets and then going on with our lives without actually putting it into practice.  

Jesus is a Genius - Who Is My Neighbor?

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied.  "Do this and you will live."  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Luke 10:25-29  Dave said, "When we try to love everyone...we often end up loving no one."  

You can download the Block Map Resource at www.theartofneighboring.com.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

With our neighbors, we should be beneficial, authentic, and open.  I miss Mr. Rogers, and he said it best here http://viewpure.com/Upm9LnuCBUM.

Overcoming Roadblocks

Strangers ---> Block Map/Acquaintances ---> Block Party/Relationship ---> Host a Meal

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."  Acts 17:26-27  Dave said, "God has placed us in our specific neighborhoods for a reason."

Final Thoughts

Dave said, "Sometimes we need to forego some good things to devote time and energy to better things, the main things - loving God and loving our neighbors."  He also said, "We don't love our neighbors to convert them; we love our neighbors because we are converted." 

I can't wait to read this book and begin to love and transform our own neighborhood!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

Back to Blogging

This isn't the way we had planned to get back in to blogging, but sometimes God gives you the nudge that you need.

Today we lost a father figure to many and the verse Jeremiah 29:11, one of our favorites, was mentioned... 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

No one knew when we woke up this morning and began 2014 that Rusty Franklin would be leaving us today.  Although we all selfishly would have loved for him to remain here on Earth, we have no doubt that he heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!", as found in Matthew 25:21, when he was at home with the Lord.

"We thank God every time we remember you, Rusty." Philippians 1:3

We found this picture on Rusty's Facebook page, and it made us tear up and laugh at the same time.  This is exactly how we picture Rusty looking over us from Heaven!

We had originally planned to blog about new beginnings, and we guess this is a new beginning of sorts...A life without Rusty Franklin for his family, friends, and Plano East.  His spirit will live on in all of our hearts...
  
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason and Shayna

Happy EasTer!

Well...This EasTer we slept in.  Sara found her Resurrection Eggs that the EasTer Bunny hid in the kitchen this year thanks to the much needed rain showers outside.  We took some time to open each egg and retell the EasTer Story.  You can find the preschool friendly version we used at: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/Resurrection_Eggs.pdf 

For brinner (breakfast for dinner) we made our Resurrection Rolls...

We dipped the body of Jesus (marshmallow) in oil (butter) and rolled it in spices (cinnamon sugar) to place inside the linen cloth (crescent rolls). 

We placed these inside our tomb (oven) for 3 days (15 minutes at 350 degrees).

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay."  Matthew 28:6

Happy EasTer 2012!  May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Special thanks to my Sister in Christ - Noelle...Without her inspiration, we wouldn't have these beloved traditions for our family!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 7

On this awesome day, we'll spend time meditating on the cross, the empty grave and all that it has given to us.  But let's also meditate on the task this day calls us to "go and make disciples..."  The pure gospel that Christ passed on to His disciples was the good news of a grace to be passed on, not just received.  Jesus left His disciples equipped to make other disciples, to bear fruit.  We can tell it worked because the people that they made disciples of were making disciples too.  And so it has been passed on for two thousand years.  But probably in every generation, certainly in ours, sometimes the gospel we spread mutates into something weaker.  Instead of truly bearing fruit, we cultivate seedless grapes.  As we spend time worshiping and thanking God today for the grace we have received, let us pray to be more challenged than ever to pass on that grace and to live out the Great Commission.    

Read and Reflect on Matthew 26-28

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 6

The woman broke her jar and poured out all of her perfume.  She lavishly wasted everything that was of value to her.  Breaking her jar effectively eliminated any chance of keeping any for her own use, then or later.  She gave everything she had - past, present, and future - to Him.  Jesus said that people would remember her remarkable love forever.  Then at the last supper, those same words appeared again.  He broke His body and poured out His blood for us.  This time when you read Jesus saying, "Do this in remembrance of me," don't just picture crackers and grape juice.  See communion as a picture of what it calls us to.  He was beckoning us to do what He did: be broken and poured out.  Go all in.  Hold nothing in reserve.  Completely relinquish control.  That's what would truly commemorate what Jesus did.  Not cherishing a ritual, but being a memorial.  What should "broken and poured out" look like in your life?

Read and Reflect on Mark 14-16

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 5

Paul wrote in Philippians 3 that he wanted "to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death."  Although it seems impossible to want to experience this horrific scene, the miracle this story offers is that we can truly know Christ.  When we look at the peace, joy, serenity, and grace shining through all the violence, you can see the beauty of becoming like Him in His death.  How simple His life had been trusting wholly on God.  He had no earthly care but a mother who He entrusted to His best friend.  His only asset was a robe that fell to a gambling guard.  That simplicity.  That clarity of focus.  That devotion to God's purpose.  That complete trust in His Father.  That is something to long for. 

Read and Reflect on Luke 22-24

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 4

Put yourself in the place of the first followers of Christ who were there at His death.  Your heart would be broken.  Your mind would be racing.  This isn't anything at all like what was supposed to happen to the King of the Jews.  He was supposed to set everything right.  Mend what was broken.  Restore what was lost.  But now, it would seem, all is lost.  Everything is broken.  Nothing is right.  Spend some time today trying to live in that space between the cross and the empty tomb.  After hope has left.  Before grace has come.  Use that feeling to fuel your prayer for someone you know that lives there every day.  Ask God to show you how to reach out to them and invite them into your Easter observances this weekend. 

Read and Reflect on John 19-21

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 3

Jesus had a last request.  He knew what was facing Him the next day, but His last prayer was not for Himself, but for you.  For all of us.  Jesus prayed for His followers.  Jesus' prayer is a wonderful window into God's will for us.  Be an answer to Jesus' prayer this week.  Go through His prayer line-by-line to see how.  This weekend, as global Church unites to celebrate His resurrection, let's look for ways to be one with God and one with each other.  Make Jesus' prayer your prayer, that the world will see His glory and come to know Him through our unity and God's love.

Read and Reflect on John 17-18

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 2

In the picture of the vineyard, we must make sure we know who we are.  We are the branches.  Our only one job is holding on to Jesus, the vine.  By doing so we will fulfill our solitary purpose: bearing fruit.  Literally all of the other work that takes place in the vineyard will be done by the gardener.  That's God.  Not me.  Not you.  Our job is to allow Him to work through us by staying connected to the vine.  Meditate today on who you are and what you're called to do.  Clinging.  Remaining.  Connecting.  Holding on.  Abiding.  That's all, nothing else. 

Read and Reflect on John 15-16

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

The Story of Easter Day 1

On my YouVersion Bible App, I found an Easter Reading Plan to prepare my heart for this week.  I'm so excited about it that I wanted to share the experience with all of you!  The night before, I will post the daily reading.  Don't forget to check back, so we can share The Story of Easter together!

Monday, April 2

This passage illustrates one of the key purposes for Jesus' life on earth, to be a human example of how God wants us to live.  Jesus said, "Do as I do."  The most incredible part of this command is that it comes with an offer of the power to live it out.  Jesus doesn't just ask us to try to live like the Son of God out of our own strength - His resurrection gave us access to His strength.  Today, meditate on the example Christ left for us.  What does washing feet look like in our own relationships and circumstances?  How can you serve others in this most basic way like Jesus did for His friends?

Read and Reflect on John 13-14

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

Happy New Year!

My Grandpa Purnell used to always say this prayer before every meal.  Although he has been with Jesus for almost 12 years, I can still hear him saying it...

Heavenly Father,
We are so grateful for every blessing in life, we don't give You enough thanks.
Forgive us, for we've failed You so many times.
Be with our church as a whole, if it be Your will.
Be with our prayer list and be with the sick, You know the needs.
Be with the unconcerned...Be with this whole wicked world.
Bless the food we eat for the nourishment of our bodies.
For it's in Your gracious and heavenly name I ask - Amen.

I think his prayer is also the best way to conclude the roller coaster that has been 2011.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 

May the Lord bless you and keep you in 2012!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

Merry CHRISTmas!

Experiencing Christmas Together
Christmas Day Family and Friends Devotional from Chase Oaks Church

Christmas is a day that engages the senses.  There are wonderful sights to be seen, like a glowing Christmas tree or brightly colored packages.  There are delightful aromas to be smelled, like the scent of pine or the smell of wonderful food, such as, in our family's Christmas morning tradition, freshly baked cinnamon birthday cake for Jesus!  There are inspiring sounds to hear and great carols to be sung.  But what about on the day Jesus was actually born?  Can you picture what that day looked, smelled and sounded like?  There is no doubt it would have engaged the senses!  Take a moment to read and experience the Christmas story together.

 

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.
⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 

On Jesus' birthday, there wasn't a Christmas tree or festive decorations.  They were near animals, so there were smells to be sure, but they probably didn't remind you of cinnamon!  However, none of that mattered because a baby named Jesus was there.  The Savior of the world...God with us!  And through Him we can have the greatest experience of all: peace with God!  This Christmas day, take some time to remember together how God became a baby to save us.

One last thought from A Holy Experience:
"He was poor, that he might make us rich.
He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God.
He took our flesh, that he might give us His Spirit.
He lay in the manger, that we may lie in paradise.
He came down from Heaven, that he might bring us to Heaven…
That the Ancient of Days should be born.
That he who thunders in the Heavens should cry in the cradle…
That he who rules the stars should suck the breast;
That a virgin should conceive;
That Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made,
that the branch should bear the vine,
That the mother should be younger than the child she bare,
and the child in the womb bigger than the mother;
That the human nature should not be God, yet one with God
Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to Heaven
If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us.
Behold love that passeth knowledge!”
~Thomas Watson

It is our prayer that this be the merriest of CHRISTmases for you and your family!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason, Shayna, and Sara

A Thankful Heart

As we end the month of THANKSgiving, I wanted to share this excerpt from our Pastor Emeritus Gene Getz's new Life Essentials Study Bible.

Psalm 138

1 I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings.  2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth.  You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.  3 On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.  4 All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord, when they hear what You have promised.  5 They will sing of the Lord’s ways, for the Lord’s glory is great.

8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.  Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.

A Principle to Live By – Always Giving Thanks - #141

When we worship God we should thank Him for His faithful promises. 

Psalm 138 begins with a series of eight Davidic psalms of praise and worship.  In this psalm, David may have been reflecting on God’s promise that his “throne (would) be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).  Prophetically, David understood – in part at least – that “every knee will bow” before Jesus Christ including “all the kings on earth” (Philippians 2:10-11, Psalm 138:4).  In this psalm, David thanked God for His promises and affirmed God’s purpose for his life (verse 8).  The Scriptures are filled with God’s promises, but none is more reassuring than the words, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  We can claim this promise now and forever.  We must never fail to thank and praise God for our eternal inheritance.

Reflection and Response

In what creative ways can we use Paul’s reassuring words in Romans 8:31-39 to worship and thank God for His promises? 

May you be filled with a thankful heart as we enter into His season by keeping Christ in CHRISTmas! 

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

Let the Memories Begin

June 7-14 we took Sara on her first plane ride and trip to Walt Disney World to celebrate our 10th Anniversary!  While staying at the Wilderness Lodge, our time was filled with visits to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom...

Wilderness Lodge 

Our first night, Mickey had planned a Grand Welcome for Sara complete with a sash on our door, a box filled with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip & Dale, Mickey's Gloves, Hidden Mickey's Book, Mickey's Walt Disney World Photo Album, Mickey and Friends Popcorn Tins with Mickey's Rice Krispie Treats that spelled out W-E-L-C-O-M-E, autographed framed picture welcoming Sara from her Disney Pals, Walt Disney World Official Autograph Book signed, "Welcome Sara! Your Pal, Mickey Mouse", a red blanket embroidered with her name and Mickey's logo, a Tink silhouette that changed colors magically, a celebration banner on our patio door, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse balloon, and message from Mickey on our room phone! 

We had a woods view from our patio where we could see Wishes Fireworks every night at exactly 10pm...We could even hear the music on our last night there...Sara was convinced that Mickey did that just for her, too!

We enjoyed the boats to Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness, buses for Magical Express and to Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios, pool, playground on the beach, Fire Rock Geyser, and Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake.  Sara loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness, too!  I don't guess we'll be staying at a midprice or value resort again anytime soon...I think it's safe to say we have found our Disney World Home Away From Home!

Animal Kingdom
To be honest, this is our least favorite park as a family...I guess because we have two local zoos that we frequent and it always seems to be so much hotter there!  We enjoyed It's Tough to be a Bug!, lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, and Finding Nemo - The Musical. 

Since we visited the other parks multiple days, here are lists of all the fun we had...

Epcot
Spaceship Earth
Club Cool
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Living With the Land
Garden Grill
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Cabelleros in Mexico
Maelstrom and Princess Storybook Dining in Norway
Rose and Crown Pub in United Kingdom

Hollywood Studios
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Muppet Vision 3-D
Toy Story Pizza Planet Arcade
Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Beauty and the Beast - Live On Stage
The Great Movie Ride
50's Primetime Cafe

Magic Kingdom
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
Wishes Fireworks Show
Electrical Parade
Walt Disney World Monorail and Railroad
Harmony Barber Shop
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Country Bear Jamboree
Tom Sawyer Island
Haunted Mansion
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
It's a Small World
Mad Tea Party
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Carousel of Progress
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Cinderella's Royal Table
Crystal Palace

We had a magical time and look forward to going back Summer 2013 to see the Fantasyland Expansion!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason, Shayna, and Sara

10 Years

10 years ago today we reached a decision with the Lord to unite our lives as one with Him...
What a blessing these 10 years have been!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Jason and Shayna

How He Loves

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Jesus said that His followers would be known by their love.

Jesus said, "As I have loved you..."

"...You must love one another."

"...By this all men will know that you are my disciples."

In John 18 Peter denies Jesus 3 times, but in John 21 Jesus reinstates Peter.  Why?  Because He loved him...Just like Jesus loves you!

The illustration Jason Ganze used at Chase Oaks Church this week was Hershey's Kisses and Sour Pickles.  He reminded us of 1 Corinthians 13 and encouraged us to be sweet to someone this week.  I think we should try to be sweet to someone everyday!

With summer in the air, I am looking forward to putting this difficult spring behind us...How He Loves by David Crowder Band is the perfect anthem for this summer!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19
Shayna

This Changes Everything

This weekend we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the event that changed everything.  While this is easy to say, it is much harder to believe.  Even Jesus' closest friends and followers, immediately following His crucifixion, didn't believe.  Their hopes were dashed, their expectations crushed.  But then it happened...the miracle on Sunday morning...the resurrection!  Thank you Chase Oaks Church for helping us embrace the miracle of the resurrection and the power that it brings for our lives!     

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:5-6

"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again." Luke 24:7

The cardboard testimonies during Friday's service were amazing to watch and gave me many goosebumps.  They also got me thinking about what our cardboard testimony might be.  I can't speak for Jason, but mine would say, "Struggled with infertility for 5 years - God's greatest gift was born November 12, 2008, placed in our arms November 14, 2008, and ours forever May 12, 2009."  There are so many other ways that the Lord has blessed our lives, but Sara was definitely our most prayed for and longest awaited blessing. 

As I sit here listening to the wind and rain from my computer, I am looking forward to the renewal that comes with tomorrow.  We can't wait to share the story of Jesus with Sara in the morning using the Resurrection Eggs she will hunt for and the Resurrection Rolls we will make together for breakfast. 

Easter Blessings to y'all!

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

For Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

My Grandmother gave me this poem when my Grandfather passed away.
It's all I could think about today...


"I thank God every time I remember you, Rosemary." Philippians 1:3

When I am gone, release me, let me go -
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears -
Be happy that we had so many years.


I gave you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown
But now it's time to travel on alone.


So grieve awhile for me, if you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for awhile that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart.


I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All of my love around you, soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home".

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna

To Everything There is a Season

I know that Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 has been immortalized in song, but I recently read about this passage teaching that there is a time and place for everything.  It is a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever, but it is also encouraging to know that difficult times will eventually be followed by times of peace.  God is in control of it all!

 

With that said, it's time for an update...

 

Grandma - The Lord has let His will be known and is currently working out all of the details.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

 

Papa - Jason's Dad is still recovering from surgery.  Although his mass was found to not be cancerous, it is in fact inoperable.  The surgeon was able to "bypass" the mass to allow for better digestion, but removal is not possible due to it's involvement with the intestines, liver, and major blood vessels.  The mass will continue to be monitored every two months with a "wait and see" approach.  "A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak."

 

Missy's Mom - Rosemary is in the last days of her life here on this Earth.  She is surrounded by family and was able to spend time last weekend with her mother, sister, brothers-in-law, and niece.  She also now knows that she has another grandson on the way in late August.  I know that she will be looking out for this little blessing from Heaven to ensure her wish that it be her first grandbaby to be held right after birth without a visit to NICU.  "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."

 

I am finding some peace these days, counting my blessings instead of sheep, and know that the Lord hasn't given me more than I can handle.

 

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

Shayna