FINALLY

It's finally here, Spring that is.

I waited and waited and waited.

At last it's arrived.

People are happy, the birds are happy.

The shorts and sandals have been extracted from the deep caverns of a closet.

I dug out capris and a short sleeved top.

No jackets. Oh, how good the sun feels.

The bikes have been serviced and riders feel the wind in their faces.

The joggers finally are able to work up a sweat, (burns more calories).

Now for the hard part. Kids are antsy in school.
They too have waited.
They want to be outside playing.

Along with the warm temperatures come the thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes.

This part we aren't happy about. Especially where tragedy has already struck parts of our country.

Residents have experienced loss of property and in some areas, loss of life.

We pray for these folks, that they will be strong in the face of adversity.

If you are able, enjoy the God given sunshine and be grateful for the little things.

I hope it lasts, for a few days anyway.

EASTER

Easter, a joyous holiday.

Why?

We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

It is also the season of Passover. A holiday celebrated by our Jewish friends.

This year Easter is the last Sunday in April.  It is the latest I ever remember it to occur.

We get to pick daffodils and forsythia this year.
The weather isn't all that warm but there isn't any snow on the ground as has happened in previous years.

The flowering trees and shrubs are beginning to bloom.
It is a glorious season of renewal and rebirth.

The kids all anxiously await a visit from Mr. Easter Bunny. They can't wait for the gaily decorated Easter baskets filled with candy and goodies.

Many have new outfits to wear to church for Easter morning services. Some may even have corsages to adorn them.

It seems Easter bonnets are a thing of the past, perhaps so are the corsages. What a shame, it was nice to see all the different hats.

I hope you will make an effort to attend services this Holy Week or on Easter Sunday.

It will give you a feeling of refreshment after the long, cold winter.

We will celebrate with our two sons who will be here for dinner. This year my husband's birthday is on Easter Sunday, another reason to celebrate.

I wish all of you a very Happy, Blessed Easter and or Passover.

We have much to be thankful. We still live in the greatest country on earth where we are yet free to openly attend church and worship a Risen Christ.

God Bless one and all.

PALM SUNDAY

The day we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry to the city of Jerusalem sitting on a colt.
People thronged to see the new king. They threw palm branches down to form a path for Him.

Who were these supporters? Some were His disciples. Some had heard Him preach and seen His miracles. Others were caught up in the politics.

They followed Him because they thought He would give them something. Perhaps save them from the Roman government.

We, of course know that was not who He was. He came there to give them something, it was eternal life. They did not understand His message and wanted something tangible, something now, not in the future.

Just a few days later He was arrested. Turned on and betrayed by one of His own disciples.

He had a sham trial. It was customary at that time of year to release a prisoner, to show good will to the people by the Roman government.

Pontius Pilate asked the crowds who he should release, Jesus or Barabbas? The crowd yelled, "Give us Barabbas".

Then he asked what should become of Jesus? They yelled, "Crucify him".
Now these were the same people that earlier in the week welcomed Him to Jerusalem.

This was not something unexpected by Jesus, for He knew what would happen. He was after all God, come to earth as a man to save His church.

One of my favorite sayings comes from a verse in Ecclesiastes 1:9. Solomon says in that verse: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be and that which shall be done, and THERE IS NO NEW THINGS UNDER THE SUN. The part I capitalized is what I like best.

Think about the previous scenario of Jesus in Jerusalem. If that were to occur today would anything change? I think not.

Perhaps the venue would be different. The events would be covered live via TV and the Internet. The media would exploit it and use it for better ratings.

Think of the protests happening today around the world. People clamoring for the demise of their leaders.

However, these leaders cannot be compared to Jesus, but the people can be. Their hearts are the same.

Jeremiah wrote in his book chapter 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?

Folks, God can and does know it.

Again I repeat, THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN.

APRIL

April, what does it mean to you?

Maybe it's the month of your birthday, as it is my husband's and his friend Bob's.
Maybe it's the month of your wedding anniversary as it it my husband's and mine and his brother and wife's.

Maybe it's your name. I love the name April. It sounds so lighthearted and fun.

Maybe you're reminded of the income tax filing deadline and the pressure it brings for the last minute filers.

April's birthstone is a diamond. Nice for females born in that month.
The flower for April is actually two, the daisy and sweet pea. Both are comforting and shy.

To me April means an awakening, a re-birth, a re-newing.
All of nature comes to life once again. The flowers and trees bloom, the birds sing, the animals scamper about.

Most of all April means Easter, at least most years. This year Palm Sunday and Easter are in April.

A time that reminds us of Jesus' horrific death on the cross on Good Friday and His glorious Rescurrection on Easter Sunday, so God's promise can be fulfilled.

John 3:16  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.

That has always been my favorite Bible verse, because it means so much to me personally.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Do you know Jesus personally?

Why not make Easter really special this year. Ask Jesus to come into your heart.

He will never fail you and will always be closer than a brother.

KINDLE OR NOT

If you read a lot of books like I do, you probably are aware of E-readers. There are a few on the market, the Kindle, Nook and Sony has one out as do other manufacturers.

The Apple I-pad is also an E-reader, but the price didn't fit my budget...not even close.

The Kindle is an Amazon product and the Nook is by Barnes and Noble.

I've investigated both the Nook and the Kindle and had a hard time deciding which one to buy.

A while back I wrote a blog on E-readers and said I wasn't sure I'd like them compared to reading a good old fashioned paper back.

I think they both have their uses.

Okay, so I finally decided on the Kindle. Now do I get the one with the free 3G network or not.

I'm sure the Nook is a quality product and everyone has their own preference.

I asked at Office Max, they don't carry E-readers.

I went looking at Best Buy but couldn't find anyone to answer my questions.

I checked out Staples, found a young man (always ask a young person technology questions when your shopping for such an item), willing to answer my dumb questions.

I finally opted for the 3G Kindle, because the 3G network is free and it gives me options when I travel. I arrived home and loosed it from its bindings, I thought, well here goes trying to figure out how to operate another piece of technology.

It was so easy, even a techno-challenged person like me, was able to operate the system. The only problem I had was putting it in the book cover I bought for it. I couldn't get the built in light to work. So I finally decided to read the directions and voila, there was light.

So I downloaded my first book. It appeared so quickly, I couldn't believe it. I still have room for 2,999 more. My mind can't get around that number.

Now, my bookcases won't fall apart because I've overloaded them, and when I travel my luggage won't be weighted down with my addiction.

Wow, the Kindle has lightened my life, imagine that.