Easter Sunday at the Park

I love Easter Sunday. I love reflecting on the fact that Christ would have died just for me. What a humbling thought. I love my friends and thought of giving my life for them seems like it comes with the territory, but my enemies? Only the love of God would make you even consider putting your life in jeopardy for people who don't even like you!

But that's what my Savior did. While I was yet in my sins and against Him, He stretched out His arms and died. Wow.

I try not to get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday, so to "celebrate" this day, we went to the park and hung out with the ducks. What a great variety they had and new ducklings at that. How cute!

the baby duckling with their mother
A male Mallard duck

At first I thought this was a duck. My daughter says because of it's neck length and size, it's a goose. I'm still learning the difference!! I believe it is a Greater White-fronted Goose.

Reconciliation

In my morning prayer time or sometimes just throughout the day, God will give me words to contemplate. This week He gave me the word reconciliation.

The dictionary defines reconciliation as: and act of reconciling or the state of being reconciled. The process of making consistent or compatible.

The word itself denotes that there is a separation between to parties. In this case, my sins have separated me from God. What's beautiful is that He is not happy with that separation and so He initiates making the relationship right. Wow. Can you imagine that? I sinned against Him and He initiates making things right. What a lesson on how God expects us to treat others.

The idea of inconsistency and incompatibility can definitely be seen in the life of an unconverted person. How exciting it is that God wants me to be compatible with Him and consistent in my relationship with Him.

He placed a few verses on my mind for contemplation. 2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.'

God, through Christ, is reconciling the world to Himself. He doesn't want to count against me the things that I have done wrong. He wants to be able to see Christ in me the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Psalm 119 Memorization Update

A while back, I set out to memorize Psalm 119. I started out excited and yet a little intimidated. I got cards made and had every intention of putting holes in them to keep them together. I didn't do that because I didn't have the binder rings that I needed. That was a big mistake. By the time I got the binder rings, I had misplaced half of my cards! I should have just use yarn or something in the meantime.

At any rate, I am back to it with a new determination. So far I can say the first 20 verses from memory. I can recite 21-23 with prompts. I love using the prompt system. It really does work for me.

Here is an example of the prompting system I use. I fold the paper over so I can only see the first letter of each word.

Psa 119:1

Batuitw,wwitlotL.

Psalm 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

I made a commitment last night to memorize 4 verses a week. I woke up this morning with severe stomach cramps. Coincidence? Of course not, but that's ok because I'm not letting go of God until He blesses me!

I'm looking forward to being changed through the memorization of God's word. I don't know about you, but I could use a good changing!

Bible Reading Plan

I especially love the Bible Reading Plan that I am using because it begins with the New Testament and only involves reading a few chapters a day. I love beginning with the New Testament because of all the stories and miracles of Jesus. I am able to "see" Him in action and really get to know Him as a person. So if you have tried over and over to read the Bible through and just can't seem to make it past Leviticus, try starting with the New Testament first.

I believe that reading through the Bible is important because when I'm just studying I tend to not read certain books or I just tend to skip certain parts of the Bible, partly because I'm just not all that familiar with what is in them.

Reading through the Bible on a regular basis helps me to become more familiar with the parts I don't know well and it creates a great habit. It also doesn't take long to read a few chapters and with the Bible on audio I can listen even while I am doing something else. I often like to listen as I am reading, especially when I come across difficult words. Alexander Scourby is my favorite when it comes to listening. He seems to have a special ability to make the word come alive.

My prayer is that as I read God's word and search for Him with all my heart, that my heart will be changed into His likeness. Happy reading.

Newness of Life

Therefore, If any man be in Christ He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17

As I think of the new year that is fast approaching, my mind is drawn to this verse. I am ready for the new year, ready for a new life in Christ. Don't we all love things that are new? New house, new car, new clothes-there is just something about newness that is appealing and exciting.

The beautiful thing about a new life in Christ is that the newness happens every single day. I love the thought of that. Today I renew my newness in Christ and I pray that it never grows old.