He Lives!

When Connor came home, President Simmons (The Stake President) had him give a thought.  Connor told us about trying to teach someone, and that person saying that there is no way to know if there is a God or not.  Connor's companion answered by saying that he didn't used to know there is a God, but now he does, and Connor testified that He also had learned that there is a God -- not having known before.

God is our Father and He knows our name.  He loves us individually and sent Jesus to save us.  He shows us His love by giving us commandments so we'll know the happy way to live.  He shows His love by sending a prophet to guide us, and by giving us a chance to repent.  He listens to us as individuals, and guides us individually.  Salvation is available to us all.  It is free.

As I have studied during Easter week, and as I have welcomed home a son, it has been good to remember, and to hear that Jesus not only lived -- He lives.  He knows me.  He suffered a lot so that I would be able to come home and so that I can be resurrected too. 

"...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God ..."  (2nd Nephi 26: 33).

Jesus is my Savior, and yours.  He lives!

Easter: He is Risen!

The Garden Tomb

Most, if not all of us, have had someone that we love die.  Even if they were very old, or were suffering, it does not stop us from wishing they could still be here.  We miss them.  We also know that one day we will die.  No matter how well we take care of ourselves, our current bodies were not made to live forever. 

Easter is a day to be grateful.  Those we love will be resurrected.  We will be resurrected.  Our loved ones will be whole again, and we will not have to miss them forever.  All of us will have bodies that do not get sick, and are not broken in any way.  There has always been a plan for us.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  John 3:  16-17

Jesus carried out His part of the plan.  He decided that all of the pain He would suffer was worth it to save all of His brothers and sisters who want to be saved.  I love Him.

Happy Easter!

Easter Week: Saturday -- The Dark Day

God's word is a light unto our path.

The tomb was closed.  The Son of God had died.  The Light of the World had gone out.  Hope seemed to be gone.  What now?

Sometimes in our lives we have dark days.  It may seem that all of the light has gone out of our lives.  Hope seems gone, or at least very far away, and we ask ourselves, "What now?" 

The good news is that, unlike His followers on that dark Saturday, we know what happened on Sunday.  We know the tomb was opened, and that Christ had Risen.  The Light of the World still shines bright, and hope is NOT gone.  "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."(Psalms 30:5). 

So, what now?  We hold on to the knowledge that there will be a morning.  Even if all we see is darkness, the light will come.  We search His words because we know that "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(Psalms 119: 105).  We search His word, and then step forward, trusting in that light.

*Photo by Michael Mouritz on Unsplash

Easter Week: Thursday -- Jesus Prays For Me

A lot of things happened on the Thursday of the original Easter week, but today I want to focus on the fact that Jesus prayed for me twice that day.

The first time was when He gave what is called "the great intercessory prayer" recorded in St. John chapter 17.  Why do I say He was praying for me?  In verse 20 He says He doesn't pray for His apostles only but for "them also which shall believe on me through their word".  I have not seen Jesus like those original apostles have, but I believe they saw Him, and I believe their teaching and testimony that Jesus is the Son of God.  One thing He prays for is that the love the Father has for Him will be upon me.  I feel His love as I picture Him praying for me.

The second time He prayed for me was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, and began His atonement for my sins, and my suffering, and my sorrow.  I love Isaiah Chapter 53 -- especially verse 5.  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

I love that He prayed for me, and was willing to go through such pain for me.  Today I will pray with gratitude for Him.

*Image used with permission from churchofJesusChrist.org

Easter Week: Tuesday -- Pride and Preparation

Herod's Temple
Used by permission from churchofJesusChrist.org

On the Tuesday of Easter week Christ taught more in the temple, and the Jewish leaders desperately tried to trap Him in His words.  They were afraid of losing their power to Christ.  They liked being important.  They liked being able to think they were right.  Money was more important to them than sanctification, and they were more worried that all of the little details of the Law of Moses were kept than about understanding the meaning of the law.

I have sometimes read the scriptures where these leaders try to trap Jesus and I have chuckled at how easily He understands what they are up to.  They get what is coming to them!  But there are also times when I realize that I fall into similar traps that lead me away from Christ.  I have cared too much what others think.  I have thought more about what I want than what others need.  I have worried more about keeping every rule than on learning why they were made, and acting out of love.

art by Harry Anderson
used by permission from
churchofJesusChrist.org

On Tuesday of Easter week Jesus also taught about His second coming.  He gave parables about preparation, letting us know that we need to fill our lamps with oil, and improve our talents.  On this Tuesday of Easter week, I want to consider pride, and where it might have snuck into my life unnoticed.  I want to ask "What lack I yet?" and then I want to be willing to act on what I learn.  I want to admit that I am wrong if my will is not aligning with the will of my Savior.  In short, I want to let go of pride, and be prepared for the time when I will see Jesus again.

The Light Will Shine Again

Picture from churchofjesuschrist.org

This is a happy Easter gift written for you, my supportive friends and family!
Click on the title to hear me sing,
or just read it and enjoy.

The Light Will Shine Again

The sun came up and shone into the tomb where Christ was laid,

And the women coming to find their Lord were at first afraid.

But angels reassured them, saying there was no need to fear

For “Christ is risen as He said”, and “He is not here”.

With fear and joy they ran to tell disciples all they’d heard

Peter and John ran to the tomb on hearing the women’s word

Christ was risen from the dead, and was not in the tomb

But later showed Himself to them as they gathered in a room

He is Risen!  The body broken now was new again!

And everyone will have this gift, whether foe or friend.

He is Risen!  What good news that is for us today.

For Jesus came for all of us, and He shows us the way.

If we will choose to follow Him then He will lead us home.

It is for us and all our sins that He came to atone.

He loves us more than it is possible for us to understand

And it is for us He constantly is reaching out His hand.

One day the Lord will come again in power and great light

And morning sun will push out all the darkness of the night.

And every tomb will open, and give up those who have died

To rise again like Jesus after He was crucified.

Rejoice!  He’s risen as He said.  The battle has been won.

Rejoice!  For Father up in Heaven gave us His Holy Son.

Rejoice!  For love will win each battle raging in our day!

Rejoice!  For when He comes again the evil cannot stay!

So as the sun comes up and shines think of the empty tomb

And feel Christ’s love and joy and peace come right into your room.

He has risen!  He has conquered death, and the darkness of our sin.

If we stay with Christ, the dark will flee, and light will shine again.

Words and tune by: Sherie
***The usual disclaimers apply. If I were to be a perfectionist nobody
would hear anything I write.