Three Days Later...

"...There is nothing to fear here.  I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said."  Matthew 28:5-6

HE HAS RISEN!  HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!   Hope everyone has a very blessed Easter! 

Love In Christ,

Alicia

Jesus Paid It All

"It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, because the sun's light failed.  The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle and Jesus called out in a loud voice, 'Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.'  Saying this, He breathed His last."

Happy Good Friday Everyone!  Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us!  Never committing a sin, He took all of ours upon Him, so that we may be forgiven and have eternal life!

Matthew 27:35

The Message (MSG)

^35-40 After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!”

Love In Christ,

Alicia

Guest Post(Dr. Gene Wilkes) : Operation Beautiful

Today at Plano Senior High School the girls are taking a risk to be themselves by not wearing makeup. As a father of two grown daughters and pastor of a local church, I know the struggle girls face throughout their lives to look a certain way. I don't have to tell you the disorders and personal pain that follow a pursuit of an image you were not created to be.

My wonderful wife, who is a teacher there, is joining the girls today! This is the first time I ever remember her intentionally going into public without makeup except to workout. Her love for the girls and her support of this value motivated her to join the experience.

Here she is this morning without makeup!!! I remember the first time my heart jumped when I saw her. She was walking across campus coming from a PE class without makeup.

I respect her for caring enough to look nice when she leaves the house, but I love her for the face she wears in her sleep.

The Bible makes it clear that outward beauty is not the benchmark of worth or beauty. Here's just one example:

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3-4, NLT)

Let the girls know you appreciate their efforts. "Like" their video. Forward the message. Have a talk with your child. Let beauty from who we are not what we wear be our message today.

 

This post comes from Dr. Gene Wilkes.  I had to share it on the blog!  You can follow him on his own blog site: http://drgdub2.blogspot.com/   I wish more schools would do this!

 

Love In Christ,

Alicia

Reflection

I believe I have mentioned on this blog before that my husband and I are fostering two little girls.  We hope to be able to adopt them when the time comes and if it's God's will.  The oldest one, who is only 3, has a hard time just being herself.  She likes to copy everything that my son does(which he is older, so part of it is a younger sibling looking up to an older sibling), and when you ask her a question she gives you the answer that she thinks you would like to hear.  She does  not form her own opinions, rather just goes along with whatever opinion was put out there.  She is definitely a people pleaser!  One day I was talking to her about being her own person.  Granted, she is three, so my conversation was based on a 3 yr old level and hoping that she grasped some of what I was telling her.  I was trying to explain to her that she can have her own thoughts, likes and dislikes and that is Ok!  Also, that there is only ONE of her!  All of the sudden I got this feeling inside of me, like an "Ah Ha" moment.  I was talking to myself!!  I used to be her as a kid.  It was like looking in a mirror.  I am still very much a people pleaser in my adult life, but not like I was as a child.  I can remember as a child agreeing with certain things just to please others.  I now know that I can form and state my own opinions.  I have come along way, but it hasn't been easy.  I still find myself trying to please people, but I also can now stand up and give my own opinion without feeling guilty or worrying about what others will think.  I know that God has placed these 2 precious girls in our home for a reason.  I also know that it is important that I try and teach them both to be their own person.  I have made this one of my missions!

God made all of us in his image!  There is no one person alike!  Even our fingerprints are different! So, if we conform to others opinions and thoughts and actions, then we are masking our true individuality that God created!  I am still learning this.  I hope that if you struggle with being a "people pleaser", then you pray for God to help you unveil the true YOU!

Genesis 1:27New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

 

Genesis 2:5-7 The Message(MSG)

 

^5-7 At the time God made Earth and Heaven, before any grasses or shrubs had sprouted from the ground—God hadn’t yet sent rain on Earth, nor was there anyone around to work the ground (the whole Earth was watered by underground springs)—God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul!