April 5, 2020
Our dear friends,
Today is Palm Sunday. Today is also day, well I actually forget which day it is of lock-down.
My heart is full. I love the extra time I have had to spend in God’s Word each day. I love getting back into cooking, cleaning, baking. I love spring. Then I look at the news. Or Facebook. I won’t even go there- you all have your own worries!
So let’s talk hope.
Palm Sunday. The day Jesus rode into Jerusalem amid the shouts and adoration of the people. The same people who would just a few days later demand that He be crucified. He knew this, after all, He was in on the planning of it. He still went.
My heart is so full to think that Jesus planned this all along because He loves me. The life He lived. The death He died. For me. For you. He knew that these same people would be so turned that they would with one voice cry out, “Crucify Him!” And they did crucify Him. And next Sunday we get to celebrate what comes next! As people are saying all over Facebook, the churches may be empty, but so was the tomb! No other religion can claim an empty tomb! Hallelujah! Our God reigns!
What are you doing during lock-down? As I read in someone else’s newsletter, I get to finally give up my excuse of no time and write this newsletter!
The King’s Daughters started 2020 with a full schedule. We had a retreat on the calendar for nearly every month. Now the March, April, May and June retreats have all been postponed without a future date set yet. August is the next one…we hope!
Right after Ash Wednesday we did have a retreat at a new location with a great turnout. Some words ladies used to describe it were powerful, meaningful, wonderful, uplifting, inspiring, heartwarming, and awesome.
April 9, 2020
I spoke at the beginning of this writing of things I love. I also love Easter and the anticipation of celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. This year, with the huge distraction of the pandemic our world is facing, it’s been a challenge to focus clearly on Easter. Maybe that’s God’s point. It’s not about the hype, the Easter bunny and eggs, or even going to a large gathering to go through the motions, then go back to the things of which we do not want to let go.
I love the Easter Service celebration as much as anyone else. “Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia!” But what if God wants us all to scale down and take a microscope to our hearts? Is it about the building, the show, the new dresses, the fancy meal? Oh, and the eggs? Or is Jesus really truly living in our hearts? Maybe Jesus wants to burst out of our cold, sleeping hearts to bring life, healing, comfort, hope, and salvation to our broken world.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61: 1-3
April 11, 2020
God bless you all as you prepare your hearts for celebrating the victory won by our precious Savior, Jesus Christ! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
