Jerusalem would become his last crusade. Jesus knew he wouldn’t leave alive before he entered the city. But He went anyway. After his triumphal procession the previous Sunday, Jesus spent the next three days teaching in the temple, giving final words of wisdom about God’ s kingdom to those who swarmed around him. The Pharisees […]
Crucifixion
God’s RSVP
I am sending invitations for an event I’ve planned for the end of next month. Each one contains an RSVP because the venue I reserved requires a head count and a guarantee of a minimum number of guests in attendance. As the yays, nays, and maybes trickle in, I am amazed at the complicated, busy […]
Conquering Death
The last three days had been horrible. The man with whom they’d spent three years traveling Judah had been arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He’d been dragged off by soldiers and brought before the Sanhedrin. Accused of blasphemy, he was sent on to Pilate. The Roman ruler didn’t know what to make of Jesus. […]
Hosanna!
He stood at the top of the Mount of Olives, near Beth phage, looking down upon the city of Jerusalem. People were pouring in from all parts of Judah to celebrate the Jewish Feast of Passover. He and his company of men had come to do the same. Nothing about the tranquil scene suggested […]
Easter Finishes Us
Click on the picture to enlarge the poem, or enjoy it below: With his Father watching, Jesus went to the cross, suffered in agony, gave his life for the lost. In a borrowed tomb they laid him, sealed it with stone, scribes demanded guards posted, don’t leave the corpse alone. Early […]
Death Could Not Hold Him
The man from Galilee was dead. Arrested in Gethsemane. Dragged before the Sanhedrin. Accused of blasphemy. Taken to Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Sentenced to be flogged. Taunted by soldiers. Carried cross to Calvary’s hill. Tortured by spikes driven into hands and feet. Hung to die. Side pierced by spear to be sure he was dead. […]
When the Creative Well Runs Dry
Edmund Burke, eighteenth century philosopher often credited with the beginnings of modern conservatism, said, “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. “ Shaken by recent world developments, I found my reservoirs of creative energy empty when this week’s blog loomed. The reports of violence against children, the […]
Finding a Place Your Soul Can Rest
The first signs of spring signal me to think about summer flowers. When I first gardened, early in my marriage, my efforts amounted to a hanging basket or two, and a vegetable plot. Now, with years of cultivating experience within my gloves, I plant flowers with a therapeutic approach. My garden has become a sanctuary […]
Bleeding Heart–A Bloom in Time for Easter
When I returned from Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in Felton, California earlier this week, I was greeted by several blooms of my bleeding heart plant which grows by our garden fountain. I thought it fitting that a heart-shaped flower should emerge the week before Easter, representing the love Christ showed for me when He […]