Do you remember when...

This week, I spent a majority of my time remembering EXACTLY what I was doing when I went in to labor with The Dude, what I was doing at hour 10...hour 20...hour 28...His 1st cry...first snuggle...His smell. I remember it all. I LOVE that I can remember it. How could I ever forget? It has "only" been 6 years. (Only. Where have the years gone?) But, seriously, only 6 years. What will I remember at year 20? Year 40? Maybe I should write it all down?

This week is special for more reasons than just the anniversary of my first born coming into this crazy world.  It is Holy Week.

Do you remember? If not...it's written down! Right there in your Bible.

At sundown, I was imagining the disciples reclining around the table, our Savior washing their feet,  knowing one of them was to betray Him.

Now, at 9pm, do you think He had gone to the garden yet? Was the betrayal close?

I find myself thinking about these events, as if I were there watching. As if I could help Him somehow, as if they had happened merely...6 years ago...not over 2000 years.

This man, this Son of our God, has embarked on a journey to end all journeys.  The road to Calvary is the most significant journey of our world history, and yet, we, benefit from the outcome every single day our lives.

Do you remember? If not, pick up your Bible and travel back 2000 years. Absorb the text. Pray on its depth.  Be thankful.

Enjoy this video as you remember.

Were You There (feat. Russ Taff)~Selah: http://youtu.be/EfNlmefplsQ

{beBlessed} and have GREAT night.

What we do down here, only gets us further along up there...

We are 20 days into our Lenten season. The halfway mark to the greatest celebration that we, as Christians, experience together. "He Lives! " and every year on Easter we glorify this fact. I just love it!

During thus lenten season, the Farmer and I are participating in a Bible study centered around Adam Hamilton ' s book 24 Hours that Changed The World. In this book, Pastor Adam, takes us on the journey that Jesus took during His last 24 hours of life. Powerful stuff.

Last night, while working in a small group,  we were discussing the topic of judgement. The Sanhedrin judged Jesus, Pilot judged Jesus and the people judged Jesus.
Man, this is such a weighted word. We discussed how the feelings of fear, jealosy, anxiety and others destructive emotions, cause us, as humans, to judge one another. The "people" chose to free Barabas, instead of freeing Jesus out of FEAR. How many times have you passed judgement on someone because you feared what they were capable of...because they were different than you?

I then shared with the group that I, have been working VERY hard not to cast judgement in others,  but most difficult, has been my goal of not worrying [or fearing] what others are "judging" about ME. My God, is the only one who has the right to judge me, and, when my time comes...He will.

We then went a a step further and discussed "Judgement Day". We, as Christians,  trust in the fact that if we proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and ask for forgivess, that we will go to Heaven. Now...here is the gray area that I have always struggled with: If I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and have asked forgiveness for all of my sins, and subsequently made it to Heaven, would I still have my day of judgement?

The answer is YES.

...this is why we need to let go of judging others and worrying about others judging us while we are still here on Earth. It IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN HEAVEN...and THAT is the only judgement that matters...

My good friend, who also happens to be a pastor,  helped me understand her interpretation of our passage to eternal bliss.
"How far you get yourself HERE, helps you out when you get to Heaven. There is still judgement in Heaven, no matter how much repentance you have accomplished. It is still a bit of journey once there."

☆☆☆she is one WISE woman. ♡☆☆☆

So, here is where we are. We are HERE for a short period of time (in relation to all eternity) We can choose to live our lives according to the law,  accepting the Lord Jesus as our Savior, training our children according to the Word and LOVING one another a WHOLE lot.

Galatians 5: 22-26 tells us;

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature and its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

The Holy Spirit bears us these Fruits. We need to embrace them, live them, share them and be thankful for them. Instead of judgement,  let us pass Joy.

{beBlessed} and have a GREAT day!