He is Risen – Easter Reflection 2013

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I love the words spoken on Easter morning: “He is Risen – He is Risen Indeed!!!” There is nothing more beautiful than an Easter sunrise service. It may be a little early to get up at 4am on a Sunday, but for me personally, it is well worth it.

You may have noticed (or not), I took a 40 day break from Facebook. It really was not intentional, but between Ash Wednesday and this morning, I did not post on Facebook. I used the time to be more intentional about my real-life relationships; especially the relationship with my Lord.

A couple of weeks ago, I had an argument with one of my closest friends. That was not intended at all, but it showed me that I need to work on my communication skills. Yes, I was in a ‘dark’ place filled with frustration, but I should not have said the things I said…

So, this morning, as my hands were cold, my heart warmed. It warmed with the love of Christ. He is the one I need to look to when frustrations hit; when the burdens seem too heavy. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Believe me, my dear friend, Jesus means what He says. When the heart is heavy, come to the cross and leave your burden at the foot of it. Jesus Himself said that life will not be easy, but when traveling with Him in our hearts, the burden is lighter.

We sang the song “You are Stronger” this morning after the reading of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 24:1-12). What a powerful song to sing on this glorious Easter morning. Let me leave you with the chorus of the song:

“You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all…”

Have a blessed Easter today and always…

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday ~ His Faithfulness

Before I start my post this week, I would to remind you that my friend Laurie at “Women Taking A Stand” will be hosting Thankful Thursday in the month of March.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.
(Psalm 26:3 ESV)

Over and over I see how distressed people are these days. Have you noticed that more and more people are fearful of their future? I often tell my friends that I don’t know where I would be without God in my life.

I know that life is not easy and not everything goes according to plan. Maybe life is not going according to our plans, but I know for certain that God is moving us in the direction of His plan. Paul in his letter to the Philippian church noted:

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Sometimes I look at my situation and forget about God’s faithfulness. But when I look back at my life, I know that He always has been with me; moving me along His plan. Since I have gone through the highs and lows in life, God can use me to encourage others who are on a journey of despair. May I always share with others His faithfulness and love.

What are you thankful for this week? Please share by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God is faithful and He will use your life story to bring others close to Him.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. The Minimalist Guide to Being a Thankful Wife
2. How To Deal With Anxious Thoughts
3. Beyond Romance
4. Six Years
5. Heather @ Living In the Moment
6. Reflections
7. Sarah @ The Fontenot Four
8. Kathleen 🙂
9. bp @ Raindrops & Rainbows
10. lorig
11. Mia De Vries
12. Jess @ Homestead For Him

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Thankful Thursday ~ Health

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
(Psalm 9:1-2 ESV)

I have to admit that I take my health for granted. But after this flu season, I am very grateful for my health. I am not sure how the flu has hit in your area, but what I have heard over the last couple of months, it has been pretty bad here in the US and world-wide.

I know of people in my circle of friends that ended up in the hospital because of the flu. Thankfully my cold did not turn into a flu. Although I have been battling a pretty bad cold for the past 3 1/2 weeks, I am thankful for my health. One thing that helped me get through the flu season with just a sore nose was that I have been taken Vitamin C with Zinc. The funny thing is though that I have to get it shipped in from my mom in Germany. Yes, there are some vitamin supplements that are similar, but not quite the same 😉 .

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us be leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: do not take your health for granted; take care of your body and your soul.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. It Feels Like Chaos
2. Heather @ Living In the Moment
3. Fashion Love & Lauren
4. When Things Can’t Get Any Worse
5. Pamela of the Songs on the Way
6. Warning: Don’t Read if your life is Perfect
7. A Tale of Two Kings @ Our Healing Moments
8. Made Me Glad
9. Today’s a Big Day!
10. Marriage: a good example
11. bp @ Raindrops & Rainbows
12. Kathleen 🙂
13. Embracing Beauty – Daughters & Daddys
14. How Does God Love Me? Let Me Count 3 Ways.
15. 37 Weeks Pregnant
16. He Always Perfects His Picks
17. annies home

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Thankful Thursday ~ Unconditional Love

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.
(1 John 4:18-19 ESV)

Valentine’s Day, the day of LOVE. There is much written about this particular day here and here. I really do not know its origin, but I know LOVE comes from God. I counted 684 (ESV) and 763 (NLT) times the word LOVE in Scripture.

You see, God’s love is unconditional (see 1 John 4:18-19 and John 3:16-17 for example). Over the past year, I have been intentional about unconditional love. My love toward others, if romantic or friendships, should be just as God’s love toward me. I know that it is sometimes not easy to love others, especially the ones that do not like you, but Jesus had even something to say about that:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
(Matthew 5:43-46 ESV – emphasis mine)

Yes, love needs to be unconditional and I am thankful for God’s unconditional love.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: be intentional about LOVE, don’t just love your brother, sister, friend or husband/wife…love unconditionally!

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Why I Can Rejoice While In Hard Times
2. Heather @ Living In the Moment
3. It Feels Like Chaos
4. Saved by Grace
5. 3 Places to Observe God in Everyday Life
6. Sarah@The Fontenot Four
7. LaughingLady
8. bp
9. Jess @ Homestead For Him
10. Pamela @ the Songs on the Way
11. Planet Hugs
12. Happy Valentine’s Day with Thanks
13. Daily Journey
14. Rina @ Our Healing Moments

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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