to tide you over

I have a ton to blog about and even more pictures to share. So, until I get my act together, here are some pics from Easter morning...





By the way, did you know that Jonas will be 2 in a month!!???!!! I still have his 22 month stats to write about. Of course, this is all for me so that I have it recorded somewhere (especially because I have yet to do his baby book...and he's my first.).

resurrection rolls

My mom sent me this great idea, so we tried it out this morning. I think this is a fun way to talk about Jesus' resurrection from the grave...I'd say it was a hit.

the ingredients...crescent rolls, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and marshmallows. We didn't have any large marshmallows, so we used 4 or 5 small ones in each roll.

separate the rolls and place marshmallows on them

maybe not that many marshmallows

roll them up

melt the butter in a bowl, dip each roll in the butter then roll them in cinnamon and sugar. We combined the cinnamon and sugar in another bowl.

bake as directed on the crescent roll package. when they are finished, cut the rolls open to discover it is empty...just like Jesus' tomb!

the smile and messy face says it all

the Goodness of THIS Friday...

this is a re-post from last year. I wanted to recognize this Good Friday, but today has been really full. And, I don't think I have the energy to write...

Last night at my small group, we were talking about the Passover meal that Jesus shared with the disciples, his inner circle - the most trusted of friends. We ran through the events of the evening...eating, washing of feet, Jesus making several predictions... Then, we landed on Gethsemane. I think I can say pretty confidently that I have always viewed the time Jesus spent in prayer prior to his arrest as a last ditch effort for God to change his mind. Why? Because he didn't want to face the pain he knew was to come. The Romans had perfected torture. Dying on a cross was saved for the most heinous of criminals. Jesus knew there would be a lot of pain involved during the course of the next many hours. So, he prays an agonizing prayer..."take this cup from me." I had a revelation last night. Jesus' last ditch prayers were not to save him from physical pain but from the emotional agony of being separated from God.

God's plan was for He who was without sin to become sin. Become sin. Jesus became sin. He lived an entire life of perfection just to die with the shame, humiliation, grotesqueness of our sin. That is the reason for Gethsemane. God would forsake his only son. Forsake is such an ominous word. I'm not sure I've ever forsaken someone, and I'm not sure I could. I even hold out hope for those who have made horrible mistakes...I would come to their rescue should it ever be needed. But, God deserted Jesus in his greatest time of need. He watched as innocence was lost. And Jesus faced the intense emotional, physical and spiritual pain alone. Why? Because sin separates us from God.

Scripture says that as Jesus breathed his last breath, he screamed "it is finished". He completed the task. He paid the price for all humanity in order that we may stand in the presence of God. We will know God's presence. The end had come.

But, there is hope because God's plan didn't end there. There is a part 2. Jesus rose from the dead. Sin was forgiven, and Jesus emerged the victor. Sin was conquered. He who was without sin became sin and won. He beat death...