Today is Holy Saturday, a day that commemorates the day after Jesus Christ's death and the day He was put into the tomb at Golgotha.

Yesterday, as you all know, was Good Friday. The day Jesus was crucified. At our church service, we were read the story from the Bible about what had happened. About how He was betrayed, captured, beaten, mocked, sentenced to death, and nailed to the cross. He taught only love, and was repaid by man with hate and death. Its always a very sad story. The crowds called for the murderer to be released and for Jesus to be killed. When the story was being told, a sort of skit went along with it during the service. Satan was the main character in the skit, and the character told us about how he had finally won by having Jesus killed. When he was talking, part of what was said really stuck out to me. He looked at all of us, smiled, and said, "I couldn't have done it without you." That really hit me. I started to think about all of the sin in the world and how we all contribute to it.

The altar and the cross were draped in black. At the end of the service, the lights were dim and the Bible was slammed shut. Its such a strange thing, how we give up what is good. The thought never got far, for what happened was done. As I rose from the pew I thought about how on that very day it would have been a strange time of mourning, fear, and uncertainty. But i reminded myself that we all know what is to come on that Easter day. And so we left the church in silence. A silence that was no longer the quiet of mourning, fear, nor uncertainty. It was a silence of waiting and preparation for the glory that is to come.


"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." - John 11:25-26

God Bless

Warby

Happy Good Friday everyone!

Today of course is a very important day for everyone. At this time, around the year AD 33 Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. He died for us to save us from our sin.

Today is a good day to reflect on our own lives. To reflect on our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. For me, today is a day of self criticism. Jesus died for us all to save us. He never sinned, but loves us so much He gave up his human life for us. It makes me wonder - are we are worthy of God's love? He loves us no matter what we say and what we do. And no matter how many times we sin, forget Him, or speak against Him, He will still love us unconditionally. It is a love that is unimaginable. A love we can never match up to. I think that it is the greatest thing about living the life of a Christian. To understand that no matter what, God will still love us and that makes me very thankful.

God's love is an amazing thing. I wish more people would understand that. God does not love us only if we love him. There is no club, no entry fee. Being a Christian is a way of life that goes beyond Sunday mornings. We must love Him and love each other.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never looses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13

As a day of self reflection, today also makes me think about how we are to treat others.

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. -1 John 4:19-20

I think it is important to understand that because He shows His love to us, we must show our love to others. We are called every day to love each other as ourselves because we are all loved equally as children of God. No one is worthy of a love greater than what is felt to another. And no one is unworthy. To love everyone is not easy. To love your enemy in a world where hate seems to find every part of the world is a challenge. A challenge we work to overcome in our lives.

Talking about God's love for us reminds me of a very good song that I hear on the radio every once in a while:
"More" by Matthew West
check it out!

God Bless

Warby

Recently one of my very close friends made the awesome decision to participate in the journey of being a Christian. Though so many people belong to the faith, it is not always easy. For some reason, there will always be people who don't want us to be Christians and practice our faith. It is something that is unfortunately never going to change. It is something that we learn to live with and deal with. It is a challenge for us. If we can keep the faith through a pressure that sends most over the edge, I believe that we will be truly rewarded. Blessed is the one who is persecuted. I am so proud of my friend for not taking it all to heart. I really see God working through her. I have seen her grow to a person who is open to the differences of other people and the opinions of everyone. Her optimism and all around mood is enough to inspire. I am so happy to call her my friend.
:)
Well, anyway its been an interesting day. I believe that situations like these simply help people grown in their faith in God. I am glad to have the experience of trying to understand the reason behind hatred for organized religion. It has really reminded me of why I love following God and understanding the importance of overcoming obstacles in life and getting through them with a renewed faith. I still do not understand but it was definitely and experience.

I pray for all of those who are confused about religion. For all of the people that are lost on the meaning of religion. I pray that God helps them to find Him in His own way. A way that can change their lives and change and influence the lives of others. I pray that they find God and understand the love He has for us every day. That they understand the meaning of God's love. About how His love is forever and limitless.

God Bless

Warby