He Is Risen!

Be It Unto Me; Lord

Be it unto to me Lord; that I may feel as You feel.


Those things which break Your heart; let them also break mine.


That which humbled You; allow them also to humble me.


Those thing that brought You joy; may my spirit also find joy in them also.


Let the love that was forever in Your spirit; reign in mine.


Give me the grace to turn the other cheek so that I may not live nor die by the sword.


That I might forgive those that are mine enemies and call them brother or sister.


Give me the strength to proclaim the Good News to those that are broken.


Let my light shine a path in the darkness that leads to You.


On this most Holy day of the year let the Holy Spirit fall upon me like Heavenly dew.


Above all I wish that You grant unto me the ability to decrease so that You may increase.


Before man and before God; do these things I pray to You; my love, my breath, my life, my redeemer.

Amen and Amen

Holy Saturday!

Good Friday

Galatians 5:6 NIV
" .... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love". 

Scripture

Colossians 3:17 NKJV
" And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him".

The ~ REAL~ Easter Bunny

Passover

"Should Christians celebrate Passover?"

The celebration of Passover is in remembrance of the time in Israel’s history when the Lord moved through Egypt destroying the firstborn of all people and animals (see Exodus 11 and 12.) This was the final of the ten plagues God visited upon Egypt designed to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country and their captivity. The Israelites were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb—one without blemish—and smear it on the doorposts of their houses. When the Lord saw the blood, He would “pass over” that house. This is a foreshadowing of the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus, whose blood would cover the sins of those who believe in Him, causing God’s judgment to pass over them. Ever since that night, Jews have celebrated the Passover in remembrance of God’s grace to them.

There has been an explosion of interest in adapting the Passover festival to Christianity. Various organizations, such as Jews for Jesus, have long promoted Christian Passover services as a means for Messianic Jews to retain their cultural heritage while professing their Christian faith. They have also used the Christian Passover as a means to communicate to Christians the Jewish religious heritage that they value. Many of the rituals associated with the Passover Seder have application to the Christian faith, and a Christian celebration of the Passover provides a unique way to bring the story of salvation to the ceremony.

Whether or not a Christian celebrates Passover would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Like all the Old Testament Jewish Feasts, the Passover Feast was a foreshadowing of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us that we should “let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (NKJV). Christians are no longer bound to observe the Passover feast the way the Old Testament Jews were, but they should not look down upon another believer who does or does not observe the Passover or other special Jewish days and feasts (Romans 14:5).

While it is not required for Christians to celebrate the Passover, it is beneficial to study it and could be beneficial to celebrate it if it leads to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s death and resurrection. The Passover is a wonderful picture of Christ’s atonement for His people and His deliverance of us from the bondage of sin. That is something we should celebrate every day of our lives.

Palm Sunday

Let Hosannas ring and joy abound,
For the Lord our God rode a donkey to town!

Matthew 21:8-9 NKJV

" And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

Vintage Christian Easter Pictures

* As Always; Feel Free To Copy/Print/Snag Everything That You Find Here - As You Wander Into ... 
           
                 ~ The King's Garden ~

Vintage Easter Pictures

Easy Easter Baskets

Easter Baskets

Items Needed:

1/2 peck or 1 peck fruit basket(s)
Ribbon
Spray Paint
Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
Easter Grass

Optional:

Wood Tags (or heavy Card Stock)
Vintage Easter Pics
Mod Podge
String or Twine


Instructions:

I found some super cute fruit baskets while out making my rounds at the Hobby Lobby Store for $3.99 each, and I decided that they were just the right size for Easter baskets. I also picked up some grosgrain ribbon and some wooden tags while I was there. With a little bit of spray paint and hot glue, you too can make some SUPER cute Easter baskets!

TIP!

All of these things you can purchase online should you not be fortunate enough to have a Hobby Lobby store near you. Shipping is cheap and lightening fast in their delivery. Look for the 40% off your highest price item coupon on their website.

Un-Painted Fruit Basket

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/natural-1-peck-bushel-basket-667634/

I spray painted the baskets white and let them dry over night.

I used my hot glue gun to attach a strip of grosgrain ribbon around the basket. I followed the brace in the center of the basket, but you could really put the ribbon anywhere you want.

Grosgrain Ribbon

TIP!

Hobby Lobby currently has grosgrain ribbon on sale for 99 cents a roll (Score!) in more colors than you can stake a stick at.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/?keyword=grosgrain%20ribbon&match=AND&F_Sort=2&perpage=96

Then I tied a cute little bow on one side of the basket for a little more color.

I bought some wooden tags {4/$1 at Hobby Lobby} and with the use of some Mod Podge - covered the wood tag with a sweet little vintage Easter pic - which I then attached to each basket with a bit of string (you could use baker's twine, yarn or anything really that is in a color that coordinates with your basket)

Vintage Easter Pics on Wood Tag

Filled the basket up with green paper Easter grass. Add treats, eggs, toys etc..

All ready for Easter!

TIP!

In place of the wood tag (above) you might want to print out the pic (or pics) of your choice - on heavy card stock (to give it a little weight) punch a hole and tie it to your basket.

I'll be posting some sweet vintage Easter pics next so stay tuned!

April 2014 Holidays

 

April 13: Palm Sunday -

 

April 14: Fast of the Firstborn -

 

April 15: Passover Begins -

 

April 18: Good Friday -

 

April 20: Easter Sunday -

 

April 22: Earth Day

Easy Easter Crafts!

Easter Egg Tree

Here's what you'll need:

1 Medium or Large foam cone
4 packs foam glitter egg ornaments (or small plastic easter eggs)
1 bag Paper Easter grass (traditional plastic easter grass will melt and not hold very well)
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
* Optional Bow if making a wreath


Instructions:

Cut the hanging ribbons off of the eggs (if it has one)
Start at the bottom of your cone and work your way up.
Put a dab of glue on an egg and hold it in place for a few seconds.

* I found it's easier if you wait until you have placed all of your eggs before adding the grass in the blank spaces - instead of doing it as I was going along. You can use something like a pencil to push in the grass to make sure the grass fills all of the empty spaces.

That's it. This is actually very easy, so don't be intimidated!

Alternative:

Use a foam wreath and add eggs and grass in the same manner. Place a pretty easter bow and hang on your front door.

Picture Post- Easter

Christ Triumphant Over the Cross

Picture Post - Easter

Picture Post

Lamb Bread Recipe

Recipe Instructions


 

Finished Bread











 

Maundy Thursday Teachings

Maundy Thursday

This week is Holy Week in the Year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2013, the week leading up to Easter and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. There are several important days this week, and one of those is Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.
 

What is Maundy Thursday?
 

Maundy Thursday (pronounced like “mohn-di,” rhymes with “blondie”) is the day that commemorates Christ’s last meal (or Last Supper) with his disciples. It was on this Thursday that He and the twelve disciples observed the traditional Jewish Passover meal together.
 

Holy Thursday: Feet Washing
 

There are several ways that Christians take part in celebrating this Holy Thursday. Feet washing is observed by many, because it was on this day that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He got up from the meal to serve the disciples in this way.
 

"So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him". John 13:4-5
 

Maundy Thursday Meaning
 

Maundy Thursday is recognized as a holy day of Christianity.  Maundy Thursday, meaning Commandment Thursday, gets its name from the Latin word mandatum (or mandate, translated as commandment), which is the first word in the Latin translation of Christ’s words in John 13:34. This is the day that Jesus gave his followers a new commandment – a new mandate to love.
 
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples". John 13:34-35
 
If you take a look at John 13, you can read about the first Maundy Thursday in detail. After the feet washing, Jesus announced that He was going to be betrayed by one of the disciples. Judas then leaves the group to go do just that, and after he is gone, Jesus gives the remaining disciples some final instructions, including this new commandment: to love each other. He explains that their love for each other is how other people will know that they are followers of Christ.
 

People often celebrate Maundy Thursday not only by feet washing services, but often other acts of kindness that involve more physical care and outward displays of love at work. Helping a widow with yard maintenance, cleaning an invalid’s home, or painting and upkeep at your local church are just a few ways that you can demonstrate love in action on Maundy Thursday. Any service done for another without a thought of being repaid reminds us of the Savior’s sacrifice for us. And how there is more than just one way to love one another- by word and by deed!

Easter Bonnets

The History of the Easter Bonnet


The Christian holiday of Easter coincides with the beginning of spring. The customs and traditions of Easter symbolize the new life that emerges following winter. In the midst of the hatching Easter eggs, baby lambs and budding flowers and trees, ladies used to don decorative hats to wear with their Easter dress to the church service. In recent years, however, more casual church services have decreased the popularity of the Easter hat.



Early Easter Headdress
 
The original Easter head accessory was not a bonnet or a hat. Before Easter was an official holiday, women would celebrate the arrival of spring by decorating head wreaths with fresh flowers. The circle of the wreath symbolized the earth's orbit around the sun as well as the cycle of the seasons.



Post Civil War
 
On Easter Sunday following the end of the Civil War, women and their daughters traded their dark, mourning veils for the pastel colors and fresh flowers of spring. They adorned their hats and bonnets with ribbons and blooming flowers.



New York
 
In the 1870's, a tradition emerged in New York City. On 5th Avenue, the social elite would attend church service, then parade down the street aferward to show off their Easter fashions. With each passing year, the hats of the Easter paraders would become larger and more creatively decorated. Spectacular head gear has included live bird nests, portable flower gardens and pets.

Easter Parade
 
By the late 1940's, the famous Easter Parade expanded out of 5th Avenue and extended from Madison Square to Central Park. The event was made into an American icon with the 1948 musical "The Easter Parade", written by Irving Berlin.
 
~ Easter Parade ~

In your easter bonnet,
with all the frills upon it,
You’ll be the grandest lady
in the easter parade.

I’ll be all in clover
and when they look you over,
I’ll be the proudest fellow
in the easter parade.

On the avenue, fifth avenue,
the photographers will snap us,
And you’ll find that
you’re in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your easter bonnet,
And of the girl I’m taking
to the easter parade.
 


Modern Easter Hats
 
Today, Easter hats have become a holiday novelty and are not seen often at church services. Still, they can be found on the heads of fashionably conscience elderly ladies and well dressed little girls. The hats that remain on the scene are light weight, usually made of straw. They are decorated with ribbons, lace or artificial flowers.

Creation to Eternity - Part V - Conclusion

God - The Book Part V. Conclusion
Creation To Eternity


The Betrayal and Crucifixion Part 1.

After supper, Jesus walked to a garden called Gethsemane for a time of prayer. His disciples followed Him to this secluded place.

After His prayer, the chief priests and captains of the temple and the elders arrived there, looking for Jesus. Judas, who had just eaten with Him, was leading the group. Judas approached Jesus, greeting Him with a
kiss of betrayal.

Suddenly, Jesus identified himself to the mob by saying, "I AM."

The crowd went backwards and fell to the ground.

After that, Jesus allowed himself to be tied up and brought into the high priest's house.

The temple officers struck the blindfolded Jesus and then said, "Prophesy you holy man. Who hit you?" The temple officers who held Jesus ridiculed Him and spit in His face. And when they had blindfolded Him, they punched Him and slapped Him on the face, and then said, "Prophesy you holy man. Who hit you?"

Early the next morning, the crowd led Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow corrupting our Jewish nation."

But after questioning Jesus, Pilate told the chief priests, the rulers and the people; "He has done nothing worthy of death. I'll just order Him to be beaten and then release Him."

But they called out all at once, saying, "Get rid of this man. Crucify Him. Crucify Him."

Pilate, wanting to satisfy the people, had Jesus brutally whipped, and then turned Him over to be crucified.

The soldiers pushed a crown of thorns onto Jesus' head, and then put a purple robe on Him. Mocking Him, and beating Him with their fists.
  
The Roman soldiers braided a mock crown of thorns, placing it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him. They said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they beat Him with their fists.

Afterwards they took Jesus and led Him away, making Him carry a wooden cross up to a place called Calvary, also known as Golgotha or the place of a skull.


The Betrayal and Crucifixion Part 2


There in the same area, where many years before God had told Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son Isaac, they nailed Jesus, God's only beloved son, to the cross.

As they did this, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they are doing."

While Jesus hung between two criminals who were also being executed, soldiers took His clothes, gambling for His robe, which fulfilled the prophetic words spoken by David.

For three hours, the people watched. The rulers with them mocked Jesus, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God ."

Then a darkness came on the land which stayed for three more hours as the prophet's words were fulfilled: "The Lord laid the sins of us all on Him."

Jesus then cried out with a loud voice, saying, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?"

Jesus, knowing that everything was now accomplished, fulfilled scripture when He said, "I thirst."

The soldiers ridiculed Jesus as they offered Him vinegar by saying, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

Jesus tasted the vinegar, then called out, "It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Then He bowed His head, and let His spirit go.

As He died, the sun darkened and the earth quaked, and the thick veil of the Temple ripped down the middle.

Now when the Roman captain in charge saw what happened, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two thieves who were hanging on the crosses beside Jesus.

But when the soldiers saw that Jesus was already dead, they didn't break His legs. Instead, one of them pierced His side with a spear, allowing blood and water to pour out.

All of this happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled: "None of His bones will be broken," and "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."

Afterwards, two believers (Joseph and Nicodemus) took Jesus' body, wound it in linen grave clothes dipped in spices, and laid His body in a tomb. Then, as requested by the Jewish leaders, the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers.


Resurrection to Eternity


Now, after three days, there was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord rolled back the stone from the tomb's door. In fright, the Roman soldiers trembled and then ran away. When followers of Jesus came to the tomb and saw the stone moved, they were confused.

Suddenly, two men stood by them in shining garments, saying, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen. Remember how He told you before that He must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?"

Then they remembered His words.

The same day in the evening, Jesus came to the disciples and stood among them and said, "Peace to you."

But they were terrified, thinking that they were seeing a spirit.

So He said, "Look at my hands and my feet, it is really Me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, like you see I have. Everything happened as I told you it would because all the writings that described me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, had to be fulfilled."

Then He opened their understanding, saying, "It is written in the Scriptures that Christ must suffer and rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name
among all nations. And you have seen these things."

Jesus continued appearing to many people, showing them that He was alive, which gave infallible proof of His resurrection. And He instructed His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel."

At the end of forty days, Jesus announced to His disciples, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall tell others about Me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth."

As they watched, Jesus was taken up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. Two men in white clothing said, "Why are you standing there staring up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was just taken up into heaven, shall come back again in the same manner as you saw Him go."


Resurrection to Eternity Part 2

So the followers of Jesus went throughout the land, preaching and baptizing, telling everyone that Christ the Savior was risen from the dead. They showed in the Scriptures how by Adam came sin and death, but by Jesus Christ came forgiveness and the resurrection of the dead.

Christians, dead or alive, will one day be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
 
They told how one day all the new bodies of those who have trusted God and believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be raised from the dead and, together with those who are alive, will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

God's book also says that Heaven will open, and Jesus will return to earth as the conquering King and righteous Judge.

And the name written on his clothes will be KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And the armies which are in heaven will follow him upon white horses.

Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives (just as the prophet Zechariah said), and the mountain will divide. And Christ will reign over all the earth. But when a thousand years expire, Satan will once more go out to deceive the nations, but fire will come down from God and devour those who follow Satan.

Then finally, Satan, the deceiver, will be thrown into the lake of fire and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

And then, in front of a great white throne, the dead, both small and great, will stand before God; and who ever is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire.

We will all stand before God, the great white throne judgment; and who ever is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire. 

But in a new heaven and a new earth, God will be with His people. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And there shall be no night and no need for candles, nor light from the sun; because the glory of God and the lamb will be the light; and They shall reign for ever and ever.

And the Tree of Life will be there and the curse on mankind will be gone.

Jesus says, "Let those who are thirsty come. Let them freely drink the water of life. Behold, I come quickly; blessed are they who obey My words.

He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not be condemned; but is passed from death unto life."

This is God's Story for You.

This is God's Story for Them.

You know this story; have known it most all of your life. But what about those people that don't know it?

I fully admit that I am not the door to door kind of person. It's really not in my nature to go out and ring a stranger's doorbell and say: Can I share something with you? Two thumbs up for those that can but it just isn't me.

Still; opportunities come up everyday for each of us to share this Story ...  in Part or in Whole.

Facing an Non-Believer is a difficult task at best.

Coming from a scientific background and through the trials of a lifetime I have found that, at least for me, it is much easier to reach out to some people on a Scientific level than it is to try and reach them on a Religious level.

I want you to look at this Questionaire that I will be including in the final segment.

In fact I encourage you and want you! to feel completely comfortable to print it out in several copies and keep them on hand. The next time you are confronted with a Non-Believer just give it to them to look over at their leisure and reach their own conclusions.

At the very least you will be setting them up to do a little investigative work on their own. Supernaturally you are setting them up for the Holy Spirit to minister to them as they study these questions.

You may never know if you have reached them on some level- but you can take great comfort in knowing that you tried. Which is all that God really expects of us.

To know God's Story

To Believe it

To try and live a good life

To Share it with others.

It is my hope that while reading this you will have come to better understand Your place in the Kingdom of God. You are Important and You Matter greatly in the furtherment of spreading the Word of God.

Let our hearts join with the Heart of Jesus Christ that no man be left behind. That we will feel the pain that He feels when one leaves this planet unsaved.

Until we each, in our appointed time, unite with Our Saviour, I wish you a life filled with the Peace that surpasses all understanding!

Dr. Angel Koerner Ph.D