easter

lent has flown by and now we are in the last week leading up to resurrection sunday. i have grown to love my peaceful sleep and focused time on the lord every night. i’m not sure i will be returning to tv while i’m in bed any time soon. definitely not on week nights! i have felt so rested and each day seems to go better when you aren’t dead dog tired!

easter is the most critical event that we celebrate as christ followers. the fact that jesus is alive is why i can have eternal life and abundant life here on earth. what he went through- physically, emotionally, and spiritually- provides the bridge i needed to get to a holy god. i’m praying for a deeper understanding of the power of the resurrection during this week of celebration.

numbers 14

i’m still plugging along in my goal to read the bible this year. i am in numbers and mark right now. it is amazing the things that the lord has revealed to me from stories in the ot that i have read numerous times! his word really is alive and active!

today’s reading included numbers 14. this chapter is right after moses sent the 12 spies into canaan and all but 2 returned with a negative report. the israelites have already been scolded for complaining in chapters previous, but in 14 god said enough is enough. look what god says to his people-

11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people despise Me? How long will they not trust in Me despite all the signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them with a plague and destroy them. Then I will make you into a greater and mightier nation than they are.”
Num 14:11-12 (HCSB)

this hit me hard this morning. how many times to i complain and not trust the lord despite all the signs he has given me. the next part of the story is even more amazing. god tells the people they will not enter canaan because of their complaining. the people decide however that they are going to go into the land anyway. check out moses’ caution to the people-

41 But Moses responded, “Why are you going against the Lord’s command? It won’t succeed. 42 Don’t go, because the Lord is not among you and you will be defeated by your enemies. 43 The Amalekites and Canaanites are right in front of you, and you will fall by the sword. The Lord won’t be with you, since you have turned from following Him.”
Num 14:41-43 (HCSB)

what a reminder for me that when i go against the lord and refuse to follow his lead, he will not be with me! god cannot bless disobedience. when i choose to go my own way, i will suffer consequences. the israelites were killed. my consequences may vary but they will come if i choose not to follow the lord.

over it

i am so over the march madness. everyone of my teams has been knocked out of the tourney, so i’m not motivated to watch anymore. i did terrible in my brackets too so there is not much anticipation for this weekend’s final four. oh well! it was fun while it lasted. i am not looking forward to the sports drought that will commence after the national championship. march to sept- when college football starts- seems like an eternity. lucky for me i have one semester to finish and 2 classes to cram in this summer which brings me to aug. occupying my time for another 4 weeks until labor day shouldn’t be that hard.

well, better get back to my reading. the chapters are beginning to pile up!

retreat

i have been praying for a weekend where i could take some extended time away from “life” and spend some concentrated time with the lord. my friend and i are going to do just that this weekend. we found a little cabin in the middle of nowhere. i’m turning off my phone, iPod and anything else that could be a distraction. i am praying for focus, open ears, and a willingness to be obedient to whatever the lord says to me. i have never done this before so I am a little overwhelmed but more than anything i am excited about what the lord is going to say to me.

have you ever done a retreat like this? any suggestions or tips? please share….

2 rounds in the books

march madness was everything that it was cracked up to be this weekend. yes, i spent way too much time watching basketball. the way i figure it though is that it will be over soon enough so i might as well enjoy it while i can. the brackets are going well so far. i am in an office pool and am doing well. let’s hope this coming weekend is as good. how did you do in the first 2 rounds?

i so enjoyed worshiping at my church yesterday…powerful music and sermon…great time of connecting in my small group…knowing the presence of the Lord is near. our pastor preached a sermon on pride…definitely brought me to my knees! he focused on king uzziah in our new series called the royals. take a moment to listen when it is posted later this week. you can even take notes as you listen and e-mail them to yourself!