11/22/20 - He Changed Everything - An Easter story at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a special time for Believers, as we recall the goodness of God in our lives.
Here are some thoughts that I recorded a couple of years ago at Easter.
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During Family Time a couple of nights ago, when I read John 17-21, the tears periodically began to flow. I began to see in a new way, on Easter, He changed Everything.
In John 17, Jesus was praying for the disciples and FOR US.17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word"
17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me"
"If a man dies, will he live again?" that early Jew [Job] asked. (Job 14:14)
Another Jew answered with more than words - He answered with His life.
[Right after Jamie's father died, Jamie heard] "Why to you look for the living among the dead?" the angel asked gently.
That day, 11 years ago, as I held Daddy's cold hand, the angel whispered again.
"He is not here. He is risen!"
Hope - for all of us!
The cross was before Him. He prayed the John 17 prayer in Gethsemane.
Jesus knew from scripture the burden of his horrible pain, suffering, and death.
Jesus knew from scripture the burden of his horrible pain, suffering, and death.
He knew that a friend would soon be coming to betray Him.
He probably also knew that for a split second He would endure the immeasurable pain of separation from the Father.
And He also knew the rest of the story, that He would rise.
His family and disciples did Not know that. They saw the Son, their Savior, dying seemingly helplessly on The Cross.
Their hope died during those hours.
And so did ours.
We were there, before we met Him. We were all there.
I was there in 1978. Nothing made sense. My life was a mess. One day I said some simple words, "God help me". I did not know then, nor will I fully understand until THAT DAY what really happened. My life was dead. I had no hope. With my simple words, I finally realized I had nothing. No hope. No future.
But, somehow, when I prayed that prayer, He changed Everything.
On Easter, I want to Hear and Say these words.
"Do not be afraid. He is not here; for He is risen" (Matthew 28:5-7), because He Is Risen.
I want to sing the hymn "I serve a Risen Savior He's in the world today, I know that He is living no matter what men say", because I Do Serve a Risen Savior.
In the March, 1989, the late Jamie Buckingham, recounts the passing of his father.
Easter is God's message of hope to the people of this planet.
He probably also knew that for a split second He would endure the immeasurable pain of separation from the Father.
And He also knew the rest of the story, that He would rise.
His family and disciples did Not know that. They saw the Son, their Savior, dying seemingly helplessly on The Cross.
Their hope died during those hours.
And so did ours.
We were there, before we met Him. We were all there.
I was there in 1978. Nothing made sense. My life was a mess. One day I said some simple words, "God help me". I did not know then, nor will I fully understand until THAT DAY what really happened. My life was dead. I had no hope. With my simple words, I finally realized I had nothing. No hope. No future.
But, somehow, when I prayed that prayer, He changed Everything.
On Easter, I want to Hear and Say these words.
"Do not be afraid. He is not here; for He is risen" (Matthew 28:5-7), because He Is Risen.
I want to sing the hymn "I serve a Risen Savior He's in the world today, I know that He is living no matter what men say", because I Do Serve a Risen Savior.
In the March, 1989, the late Jamie Buckingham, recounts the passing of his father.
Easter is God's message of hope to the people of this planet.
"If a man dies, will he live again?" that early Jew [Job] asked. (Job 14:14)
Another Jew answered with more than words - He answered with His life.
[Right after Jamie's father died, Jamie heard] "Why to you look for the living among the dead?" the angel asked gently.
That day, 11 years ago, as I held Daddy's cold hand, the angel whispered again.
"He is not here. He is risen!"
Hope - for all of us!
(https://jamiebuckinghamministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/82-Hope-For-All-of-Us.pdf)
In November, 2003, a simple message was posted on the Bethel United Methodist Church sign, "Mother has gone to Glory".
She has, and we will go too, and behold His Glory.
Jesus came. He died. He rose. He changed Everything.
Happy Easter AND Happy Thanksgiving!
In November, 2003, a simple message was posted on the Bethel United Methodist Church sign, "Mother has gone to Glory".
She has, and we will go too, and behold His Glory.
Jesus came. He died. He rose. He changed Everything.
Happy Easter AND Happy Thanksgiving!
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