Happy Easter and Merry Christmas!!

Without Christmas, there is no Easter. That’s why I still have a brightly-lit Christmas tree sitting in my living room. This year, its 1 1/2 feet tall. It reminds me that Jesus came to this earth as a baby, to be the Light of the world, to show us the way to His Heavenly Father-God. Not only that, He came to set us free from the ongoing lies of the evil one… thoughts in our minds that gnaw at us, day and night, trying to keep us from believing the One who can actually rescue us from those lies that drag us down to the depths of despair, loneliness, bitterness, unforgiveness, like heavy weights and baggage hanging around our necks, ankles, or carried in our hands or on our backs.

 Jesus came… not just to die... but also to live, to show us a way to live above and beyond our circumstances, to give us hope and life, not just for this life, but with our Father-Creator who longs for us to return home to Him… to a place of love, without judgment, to a place of love that redeems us and has paid the ransom for believing and trusting the one who is a liar, instead of the One who is Truth.

I look at this small, Christmas tree and remember God’s amazing love… to send His only begotten Son, not made or created, but the very essence of Himself… to live in this world, which is being assaulted with the lies of the evil one. God's Son came to bring us Truth… the message and hope of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Not only that, but to those who believe that He is truly the Son of God and the Son of Man, the One who came to free us from the bondage and yoke of constant, fruitless unbelief…He has come to break those chains and set us free, once and for all. He offers us the gift of the Spirit of Life, of Love, of forgiveness and mercy… to truly give us life… eternal life, through the power of the resurrected Christ, a gift to us, the Holy Spirit who lives and dwells in each one who believes that Jesus Christ, came to bring us out of living in darkness to the place of living in Light, eternal life with Him!

May you enjoy a blessed Easter, as you celebrate Christmas, whether it’s today or tomorrow or years from now. I pray that this will truly be a day of joy, deep, deep within your heart and soul, not just on the day you say or said, “Yes!” to Christ, but every single moment of every day, that you, too, acknowledge the Power and Presence of His Spirit with you, within you, comforting and directing you, and doing what you could never imagine, in and through You!

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you, now and always!! Amen!

Happy Easter and Merry Christmas!

Hallelujah! The LORD is RISEN!!

He is Risen, indeed!!

Precious Linda, c.2014

Sitting next to my little Christmas tree is the painting from my friend. To learn why it’s sitting there and what it means to me, you can read my previous post at: http://twowhitebutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/03/two-white-butterflies-watercolor.html.

You may also wish to see y Christmas tree and what I wrote last Easter at: http://twowhitebutterflies.blogspot.com/2013/03/happy-easter.html. 

If I told the truth...

If I told the truth...

I'd have to face my fears...

I’d have to accept whatever happened to me as real life, ugly and unbelievable as it was.

I’d have to find a way to accept my past, my parents, and others who hurt me or neglected me.

I’d have to own up to being not quite there… here… in the moment.

I’d have to come to the point of knowing that TRUTH hurts – it damn well hurts and the past cannot be re-written, and yet, in some ways, it can because, it’s over and will never happen again, to me, as it did happen to me, as a child.

If I told the truth, even to myself, I’d need to show compassion to the young parts of me that got stuck in their development and, basically, love and accept them and show tenderness to them. I’d need to forgive the evildoers and those who did wrong to me and harmed me.

If I told the truth, I would need to accept myself as I am, here and now, and do what I need to do to help myself, all of me, grow up in the ways God intended and intends for me.

If I told the truth? No, I will tell the truth and am continuing to tell the truth. I will grow up!!

Precious Linda, c. 2013

This was written last fall, while in a class, "The Lost Art of Personal Writing - Finding Your Voice," with the prompt of: "If I told the truth." 

Happy Easter!!

A few thoughts I'd like to share today...

Believe it or not, I took my Christmas tree down in January and put it back up a day or so later. The lights lit... at night or during the day... remind me of LOVE! I put my favorite ornaments on it that remind me of love, too. 

What an appropriate and fun way to celebrate EASTER today, with the reminder of God's amazing love for us, through the One who said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12, NIV) 

What stood out to me, in this close-up picture of my tree, was the star and the angels... and how at Christmas, we refer to the amazing star that led the wise men to find Jesus and how the angels appeared to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds and, now, at Easter, we remember the angel at the empty tomb. 

This morning, it was fun for me to see this star and these angel ornaments on my tree and to remember... the coming of Christ was foretold by the prophets; angels spoke of His coming to Mary and Joseph and John and Elizabeth; an angel or angels spoke to the disciples who were dismayed that Jesus had been crucified and were so surprised to find the EMPTY TOMB; and how, when an angel asked why they were looking for the living among the dead, he went on to say, "He is not here, but He has risen!!" (You can read more of these amazing events in Luke 24.) 


This morning, I posted on Facebook:

"This is the day the LORD has made! We will rejoice and be glad in it! Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!" 

I chose not to include the Bible reference for the first two sentences, but looked them up to be sure they were accurate. Surprisingly, someone else posted: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad." (Psalm 118:22-24 NIV) and I recognized his use of Psalm 118, so I looked at the chapter and found: 

"Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:19-24, NKJV.

I truly rejoice in this day!! Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!! He is risen indeed!


One other picture I found interesting and would like to share with you is:

 (You can find it at: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/11632_162935702086_6637905_n.jpg)

I am so grateful for God's forgiveness for me and for all who believe in His Son!

May you be blessed, as you consider the amazing love of our Creator and how He sent His Son, as a babe, to grow into manhood and teach us about God's amazing love and grace for all of us, through His words, spirit, and actions, while living among us on earth, and then through His sacrificial death as the "perfect Lamb of God" to "pay our debts" so that we may be truly forgiven for choosing to "go our own way" rather than the way that our loving and most merciful God created for us... to live in love... loving God, loving ourselves, and  loving others, using the amazing gifts and talents God has given us, for His glorious, amazing, and loving purposes for us all.

Happy Easter and God bless you! This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

Linda

Good morning, Linda!

The following is something I wrote, as I envisioned God and me having a conversation, last fall. I try to read through this each day, in a prayerful state, listening to what God might want to say to me… or impress upon me… on that particular day. Believe it or not, there’s always something new that I believe He wants me to be aware of that day.

Be blessed, as you read and, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me, in person, in an e-mail, or in the comment section. Thanks!

Linda

Good morning, Linda!

Be still and know… trust… that I am God, Linda.

I am Love, Goodness, Grace, and Mercy.

Thank You, Lord!

I worship and adore You.

Seek first, My kingdom and My righteousness, and I will provide all that you need today.

Thank You, Papa!

Your will be done… by me… today, LORD!! This… I pray.

Thank you, Linda!

Are you living, by faith, in My Son, Jesus Christ, Linda? Are you walking by faith, believing that you have been crucified with Christ on the cross with Him and the life you now live is by faith and not by sight, Linda?  Are you living by faith and not by sight, Honey?

Pause, and think about this, Linda… in your heart, mind, soul, body, and spirit. Please.

Yes, Lord. Yes, I will.

Have you put on… MY armor, this morning? Are you still wearing it and using it appropriately?

Pause, and think about this, dear Linda! I have provided you with all that you need for today.

Yes! Thank You, Papa! Thank You very much!

Walk by faith… with faith in Me… today, Linda. Walk closely with Me, Jesus Christ, and listen to My Holy Spirit… the TRUTH-TELLER… speaking truth to you.

Yes, Lord! Yes!

Listen for My “still, small voice”… continuously today, Linda.  Continuously.

Yes, Lord! Yes!

Be ready… to respond to whatever comes your way… with My love, My wisdom, My grace, and My mercy.

Yes, Lord! Yes!

Thank you, Linda! Thank you!

I will fill you continuously to overflowing with My Holy Spirit and with My Love, Peace, and Joy for this day… for whatever comes your way.

Thank You, Lord God Almighty! Thank You very much!

Yes, Linda! Yes!

Linda?

Yes, Papa – Father, Lord, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit?

Remember that I will give you strength for today. I will show you the way through whatever you need to go through… and I will give you the words to say… words of wisdom, love, grace, and mercy… to share with others and to share with yourself, as well, Linda-Honey.

Thank You, dear Father-Papa! Thank You!

Yes, Honey! Yes! I will also forgive you, as you continue to forgive those who have sinned against you.

Yes, Lord! Yes! Thank You, dear Papa! Thank You for Your wonderful and great gift of forgiveness of my sins and for the sins of others!

You are very welcome, My Dearest and Beloved Daughter!

Now and throughout today… whatever you do, whatever you say, whatever you think or believe, do it as being “one with Me… Jesus Christ” AND “one with the body of Christ”… in community with other believers, Linda… for My purposes and for My glory. Okay, Honey?

Yes, LORD! Yes!

In the name of Jesus, I pray and ask these things… today. Amen and AMEN!! Hallelujah! AMEN!

Thank you, Linda. I am with you… now… and, throughout this day…and forevermore! AMEN!

Thank You, Lord God Almighty! I praise and thank You for who You are and for all You do and are doing for me and for others, for our good and for Your great glory! I will continue to pray, praise, and thank You, throughout this day! Amen and Amen and Amen! Hallelujah! AMEN!

Thank you, Linda. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Nothing can snatch you from My hand.

Thank You, Papa!

Now, go in Peace…My peace.

Thank You, Papa!

The Peace of the Lord shall be with you, always, Linda! Forever… and ever!!

AMEN!

2012-10-31, 1252

Precious Linda, in silent prayer with God, c. 2012

Note: You may copy this conversational prayer and insert your name or edit it for your personal use. Precious Linda

Gracie and Grace (Previously entitled: Grace)

Gracie Marie smiled gleefully from her high chair. Wisps of blond hair brushed her cheeks, as she giggled with glee. She was enthralled with picking up each tiny Cheerio and would celebrate the achievement of making that Cheerio stick to her wet fingers and get in her mouth. Her joyous laugh made me smile, too, and I was so grateful that God had blessed us with such a joyful child, 2 ½ years ago.

I leaned over and kissed the top of her head, smiling, and continued cleaning up the kitchen, strewn with breakfast dishes from our older three kids who had already left for school. After clearing the table and filling the sink with soapy water, I turned back to wipe down the table. It was then that I noticed that Gracie had tipped over the bowl of applesauce and was finger-painting with it on her tray and in her hair.

“Oh, Gracie! Applesauce is to eat, not play with!”

I quickly removed the bowl, spoon, and cup from the tray and scooped up the remaining applesauce, as best as I could, with a generous swipe of my washrag. Then, I tried to wipe Gracie’s face clean and smear some of the applesauce from her hair, too.

“Oh, Gracie! Gracie! What will I do with you?” I said in a sing-song way, smiling, remembering the outbursts of anger I heard at home, when things didn’t go as expected.

I was grateful that, today, I could show Gracie the grace that I was learning to experience from my Heavenly Father, too!

Precious Linda, c. 2012