Happy Easter!

Good Friday thoughts...

I've been thinking a lot lately about security.  Specifically, the security that comes from resting in God's beautiful love for me.  Why is it that I so often feel that His acceptance of me somehow rests on what I do...how I act??  Human nature, maybe...we are taught from a young age that a good performance earns more praise, positive reaction, better report (and rightly so perhaps, in most cases).

Yet this attitude so often carries over into my relationship with my Father in heaven.  Lately though, He's been gently showing me that His love isn't something that I will be able to fully understand during this life.   It's deeper...wider...stronger...than any earthly love I will ever experience.  And nothing will ever separate me from that Love.

Nothing I do will make Him Love me more.  At the same time, as the realization of the fullness of that love slowly dawns on me, it fuels my desire to please Him, trust Him, obey Him.

On Palm Sunday, one of our church elders shared a message that has come to mind again and again this week.  We looked at the account of Jesus' trial, when Pilate gave the people a choice between Barabbas and Jesus....and saw the meaning of Barabbas' name: "Bar" = son, and "abba" = father (in an endearing way; daddy).  Barabbas could have been any one of us - he stood already condemned because of his sin...he is representative of all humanity.  When Jesus took his place - the perfect Son of God - He gave Barabbas, and all of us, the right to be called the true son of our Abba Father, should we choose to accept that gift.

That fresh insight on this beautiful, sobering old story filled me with new wonder at the Love that would do the unthinkable for me.  And for you.  May this thought never grow old, and may His love fill your heart this weekend as we look forward to celebrating His resurrection on Sunday.

Blessings,

Rachel Elisabeth

April 13, 2011

"We have the choice to deliberately think about the Lord
       in the moments our hearts begin to become {overwhelmed with the circumstances of life}.

        It is a choice we make and one that can eventually become a habit.
   In every situation, every day, in all things, let us consider Christ, who He is and His promises for us.

'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).  

He never changes. He who was able to keep Paul and John until the end is {able} to keep you as well.
          The only One whom we can draw strength from and depend on for all that we need is Jesus."

-K.P. Yohannan (Seeking Him)

Kiel & Sarah

Long past are the carefree summer afternoons with the cousins...playing tag barefoot in the backyard and marco polo in the pool...eating popsicles in wet bathing suits, and catching black snakes in the garbage can (ok, we only did that once).  Over the years, other friendships, interests, and, eventually, jobs replaced those afternoons....but this summer, we have several weddings to look forward to.

My cousin Kiel is one of the first of my cousins to get married - his wedding and my brother's wedding are only a few weeks apart.  I took their engagement pictures towards the end of last year, and had fun getting to know his beautiful fiancee, Sarah.      

I love Sarah's ring - it's gorgeous....good job Kiel :)

Blessings,

Rachel Elisabeth

April 2, 2011

You can call me strange, but I think one of the best smells on earth is that of warm, moist soil on a snowy morning in late winter....it smells like life to me - everything all around me pushing, pushing against the cold and promising new growth and new life.  

I started going to Michael Brother's Nursery when I was 14 years old...watching, helping, learning...and continued there every spring until after I graduated high school. It was my first experience working outside of home, and I absolutely loved it.  

I remember thinking surely I had the best opportunity ever, especially those mornings that it would be snowing outside and we'd be in the warm, quiet greenhouses, transplanting little seedlings.  I always felt that I got a head start on spring, watching those little plants grow week after week.  My sister Rebekah still goes there every once in a while to help out, and I'm always happy for the chance to visit again.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord...for as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater...so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose..."

{Isaiah 55:8-11}

Blessings,

Rachel Elisabeth