He is risen. He is risen indeed!

The Sabbath had come. Jesus' body laid in the tomb, wrapped in linens. Women had prepared spices and perfumes, but had not yet re-entered the tomb since it was closed. The Sabbath had come and they couldn't work. They rested. They mourned.

The next day, the sun shone brightly, the sky was blue and cloudless, reflecting God's glory. As the women neared the tomb, they saw that the stone, which had been used as a door had been rolled away. Scared, the women made a beeline for the tomb, dropping their spices and perfumes along the way. When they reached the tomb, they slowed, for fear of not seeing Jesus inside. Mary Magdalene stuck her head in first and screamed. The body was gone! Jesus was gone! Someone had taken him!

The women cried. A blinding light flashed and two men approached. The women cried out in fear, then bowed their heads. The men shouted, "Why are you searching for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

Delighted, the women rushed from the tomb to relay the good news to the apostles. Sadly, the men believed the words were just a bunch of codswallop and didn't believe them. Peter was different. Peter ran to the tomb and found the linens, wondering what had happened to the body.

-----

Meanwhile, two men were on a path, traveling to Emmaus, a nearby village. They were chatting about the recent events, when a man came behind them and kindly asked, "What are you two discussing?"

One man, by the name of Cleopas, asked him, "Man, are you the only one visiting Jerusalem, who has not heard of the recent events these days?"

"What things?" the man asked, acting confused, but knowing.

"Why, about Jesus of Nazareth," the other stated, "He was a prophet. A powerful speaker. A doer of miracles. The chief priests and our rulers handed the man over to be sentenced to death. He was crucified. We had surely hoped and believe that he would be the one to redeem Israel. It is the third day since all has taken place. On this day, women went to the tomb where Jesus rested, but his body wasn't there! They claim to have seen angels in the tomb, who told them that Jesus was supposedly alive. Well, some of our companions went to the tomb also and it was as the women said, his body was gone!"

The man smiled and said, "How foolish you are! You are slow to believe all the prophets have spoken! Didn't the Messiah suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

The man then told them all he knew of Jesus, from the words of Moses and all of the prophets. He explained all that was in the scriptures about the Messiah.

When they had reached the spot the two men were staying at, the stranger bid them farewell and started moving along his way. The men called out to him, "Won't you stay with us? It is nearly evening, the day is almost over."

The man grinned broadly and entered the house with the two men.

The three sat around a solid wooden table with a plate of bread in front of the stranger. The man took a loaf of bread, gave thanks and broke it. He began to give it to the man and their eyes were opened. The man had disappeared.

The two men looked at the empty chair in awe. Their jaws had dropped. Their eyes had widened. They looked at each other simultaneously, then back to the chair. One asked incredulously, "Weren't our hearts burning within us while He chatted with us along the road and told us of the Scriptures?"

In an instant, the men had vacated their chairs. They sprinted all the way to Jerusalem, to search for the Eleven. When they had finally found the Eleven and those with them, they assembled together. The men cried out, "It is true! The Lord has risen!"

The Eleven were confused. The men explained how Jesus had walked with them and told them of the Scriptures. They told of Jesus sitting with them at the table. They told of Jesus breaking the bread and their eyes being opened to discover who the man really was.

As the men talked of the events, Jesus himself stood among them. He stated, "Peace be with you."

Those assembled were frightened. Believing that they had seen a ghost, they cowered. Jesus calmly said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your mind? Look at my hand and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh. A ghost does not have bones. I have flesh and bones; I am no ghost!"

The men saw his hand and feet. They still did not believe. Jesus asked, "Do you have anything to eat?"

They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

After he had finished eating, he said, "This is what I had told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Then he opened their minds, so that they might understand the Scriptures.

"This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations; beginning at Jerusalem. You are witness of these things. I am going to send you what my father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Jesus led them out to the vicinity of Bethany and raised his hands, blessing them. In the process of blessing them, he left and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy in their hearts. They continually stayed at the temple and praised God.

Finish.

That turned out quite well. I am definitely happy with it.
Stupid italics won't shut off.....whatever.
I know it really wasn't my best writing ever, but being the procrastinator that I am, I had put it off too long. I was bored tonight and decided I would finish this up. I have plenty more writings I have done in the recent weeks to post also. I keep a notebook with me at all times. It's falling apart, literally, but I never part with it. I don't know what I'd do without it! Wow....totally ran into a long dialogue there. My bad.

Anyway, I have relatives over, so Zechariah is sleeping on the couch and decided that he wants to go to bed, so I'm being forced off of the couch, off of my computer and upstairs. Whatever, I should be in bed anyways.

God Bless,
Angela

A love so deep. A sacrifice so great. A man who came willing.

Pink and purple streaked across the sky, trying to prove that the day was supposed to turn out well, but the voices, the events made it seem otherwise. A large balcony, high above the ground, was the center of attention. An immense crowd of people stood below and around it, waiting silently for the main event to reveal itself. Quiet murmurs could be heard as a man, wearing white, stepped out for all to see him. Another man, his hands bound behind him, was shoved onto the balcony. A hush came upon the crowd. The man in white, known as Pilate, pulled the other man towards the banister rimming the edge of the parapet. Pilate looked out upon his people and cried, "I have found no charges against this man! I will punish him, then release him to you!" Pilate was sure the people would cheer or at least be silent. The reaction was opposite and defining. "Barrabas! Release Barrabas to us! Away with this man! We want Barrabas!"

Pilate's face proved the shock he felt. His heart sunk. "Barrabas?! Barrabas is a murderer! This man has done no harm! Why would you want a murderer above a miracle worker?"

Pilate begged loudly, but to no avail. With fists raised, the crowd shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

Pilate closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Slowly, he lifted his finger towards the man who was called Jesus. "Take him away."

Two soldiers grabbed the man's arms and dragged him from the balcony. The crowd roared. Pilate lifted his hands to direct the crowd to silence. Growing quieter, the crowd listened intently to Pilate's words. "He is gone. I now release Barrabas to you." Pilate turned his back to the crowd and walked out.

--------

The soldiers did as they wished with Jesus. They whipped him, they beat him, they spit at him. His back was torn and bloody. What flesh was left on his back, barely covered the muscle and blood that seemed to blanket the man. They placed a crown of thorns upon his head, readjusting it so the thorns would pierce the man's flesh. They stripped him of his clothing and left nothing but a dirty cloth around his waist. They placed his cross upon his shoulder and forced him to carry it to the hill where he would die.

Tears streamed down Jesus' face. He collapsed. Before the cross could fall upon his back, Simon of Cyrene stepped from the parting crowd and caught the beams of wood. He lifted it upon his own back and carried it up the hill for the man.

Jesus was prodded forward and slumped along, supporting himself with his arms every few feet. Men tried to comfort the woman and children who were crying out to Jesus. Jesus stopped moving and turned to the women, saying, "Do not weep for me.....weep for yourselves....and your children....."

When they reached the top of the hill, the cross was laid out and Jesus was thrown on top of it. They stretched his arms out across the wood. Large nails were hammered into his hands, attaching them to the cross. They did the same to his feet. They lifted the cross, propping it up so all could see Jesus, the supposed king, die.

On either side of Jesus were two criminals, who were to be crucified also. Jesus lifted his head and looked lovingly at the two men. He then looked up to the sky and prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing...."

The soldiers sneered at Jesus, casting lots for his clothes. People called out, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One!"

Soldiers shoved a sponge with wine and vinegar into Jesus' mouth, crying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

Jesus was saddened, as he looked upon the men who were sinning. He looked at them with love in his eyes. His Father's creations, the ones who he was dying for, were mocking him. They would never discover the true love, the true meaning of His death. Their bodies would reside in Hell forever. Jesus looked out upon the people. His people. Compassion filled his eyes, tears steamed down his face.

One of the others hanging upon the cross called out to him, "Aren't you the Messiah?! Save yourself and us!"

The other criminal rebuked him, "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence?! We are being punished justly! We are getting what our deeds deserve! But this man, the Messiah, he has done nothing wrong!" he then looked at Jesus, "Jesus, please remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus smiled and answered, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

------

Noon had come and darkness was cast across the earth. When three o'clock rolled around, the sun had stopped shining. The curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out, with his last breath, "It.....is......finished!"

The centurion watched in awe, as realization came to his mind. He praised God and said, "Surely, this man, was a righteous man."

A man came and took Jesus' body. He buried him in a tomb, which was vacant.

To Be Continued....

I know that this was not very well written, but I felt like it was time for me to share this with you guys. This story means so much to me and many other believers. I don't understand fully how Jesus could love us SO much, that he would willingly give himself up and die....for us! I wanted to separate the resurrection from the crucifixion when I wrote this, that's why it will be split into two parts. Basically everything that was said by someone in this was taken directly from Luke 23, but I did add some words and change it around a little bit. Otherwise, the not dialogue was written by myself.....:p

God Bless,

Angela

AWESOME Bible Verses

I have no idea what I should post about today, but I feel it would be best just to post some of my favorite Bible verses.

Enjoy:

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”

6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope y'all enjoyed those verses.

Praise God!

Angela

Important

I'm not sure how to state this problem....

I'm not sure if I should use euphemism or if I should bluntly say it.

I'm not sure why it happened or how.

Yesterday was a tough day for me.

Yesterday was a tough day for her family.

Yesterday was a tough day for the friends around her.

Her name was Abby.

She took her own life yesterday morning.

I don't understand how someone so young could feel so much pain and hurt that she would kill herself.

She was only thirteen.

She was funny.

Her smile cheered people up.

Her laugh was distinct.

People loved her and cared about her.

Why did she do it? Could I have changed something? It's my fault.

When a friend commits suicide, that's what you think, right?

That's what I thought at first.

We had a youth group prayer time last night for people to talk about it and try to understand.

When I got there I broke. I pulled my friend, Justine from the room so we could talk.

I realized, it's not my fault.

There was nothing I could have done.

It was in God's plan this whole time.

I couldn't have changed that.

It still hurts. It'll hurt for a while.

I know though, that I should be blaming myself, I couldn't have changed something.

But why did she do it?

She had friends bawling last night.

Why would she leave us like this?

I see that we should be rejoicing because she's in Heaven with her Father.

So why I am I crying?

It's part of the mourning process.

She was a good friend.

God Bless.

Angela

PS I'd like you all to listen to Zero by Hawk Nelson. I listened to it probably 40 times yesterday. It helped me through it better.

Today was like any other ordinary day, but I'll spiff up this post especially for you, just to make it....well, extraordinary. The list of things I did:

1. Eat.

2. School.

3. Try on dress-up clothes.

4. Bible Study.

Starting with number one. I ate a muffin for breakfast. With butter on it. A blueberry one. A slightly burnt one. So....a slightly burnt blueberry muffin with butter on it.

Moving on to the magnificent number two. I read Part III of Augustus Caesar's World for my Ancient History class. I wrote a poem for my poetry class. I did a few problems for my Math work. I practiced my piano piece for IFCA.

Now the wonderful number three. Yeah, this one is a little bit different I must say. It involves the dressingupwithmyfriendsatchurchthing though. Lucas and I were trying on some of the pieces of our old dress up clothing, hoping to find some new ideas....and oh, boy, did I find ideas alright. Some of those amazing costumes I had forgotten about....such as.....the clown, the alligator, Batman and the weird red dress. The ones I remembered included....the Chinese outfit, the Indian costume, and the Peter Pan costume. Tonight, I believe I will be sticking with the indian outfit. It's definitely worth wearing. :D

Number four. Bible study. This was my first time participating in a Bible study before. It was actually a lot of fun. There were three other girls. We talked about having an 'undivided heart' for God. I was happy that I learned something from it and that my friend Gillian invited me.

Now, I'll go on my random ramblings, since I covered all the things that happened in my day.

1. I love popcorn. All types of popcorn: Kettle corn, caramel corn, buttery popcorn, salty popcorn, plain popcorn....Even if the popcorn gets stuck in my braces, which it does, I love it. A lot. What I don't really like about popcorn is the Popcorn flavored jelly bean and those things in popcorn that are like....the outside papery layer of the kernel that gets stuck in between your teeth. I don't like that thingy.

2. Swimming. I don't like swimming. At all. The only time I really swim is at Lake Erie every summer, when we visit with my cousins, on quiz trips because my friends beg me to, or when we go to a water park. I don't really like swimming in the public pool very much. I like swimming with just people I know, not when a lot of other people are there too. And it's hard to find decent swimsuits lately. I hate some of the swimsuits that are available to buy.

3. I have to go do my math, so I'm going to stop writing.

Angela

Writings From The Absent Mind of Angela

I feel it. A knife shoots into my heart, causing pain in my entire body. I am being teased and criticized again. I bite my lip, holding back my tears. I laugh along with the others who hear the man teasing me. It helps to mask the fact that it hurts. I’m standing in the line of fire in battle. Another remark slides from the man’s lips and the group laughs, releasing their arrows at me. I sigh and let loose a slightly hurtful retort. The teaser and his followers lift their heads and guffaw. I turn my back to them, showing that I “won.” I leave the room, not looking back. A swarm of tears fall from my eyes as I hide myself. I feel ashamed. I blow my nose and wash my face, relinquishing all tears and the fact that I had been crying. I re-enter the room, acting as if I wasn’t hurt, as if I am happy. I “laugh” and “smile” with others “cheerily.”

***

I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, while recalling the day’s events. Tears slide down my cheeks. I fall asleep, my face still damp from the fresh droplets of pain.

Why do we tease people and take pleasure in it?

Why do we laugh alongside others at a person who is being teased?

Why do we ignore the fact that people are hurting from being teased?

Do you understand what I am saying? All of these things are things that each and every one of us do. You tease people. You laugh after you tease them, because you thought your joke was funny. You laugh when someone else says a funny joke or insult targeted to a specific person. I’ve done this, and I’m not happy about it.

I wrote this to show you something. The person who is being teased gets hurt by it. Just because they’re laughing, doesn’t mean that they’re not hurting because of it. Some people don’t like to cry in public; some people don’t like to show all the troubles they’re really going through. So we do we egg on that trouble?

This is the second in a series I’m going to be doing. A series of life lessons from the point of view of the one hurting. Please, read them if you can and take all out of it that you can.

Refrain from teasing others. I know you can, no matter how hard it is.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

- Philippians 4:13

Over and Out.

Angela

Sadness, a writing by Angela

A tear, lone and sad, slides down my cheek. Again, I sit alone in a corner, watching life blur past me at high speeds. As I stand, another tear drops from my eye, landing silently onto the dirty floor. I walk away from the “Populars” and make my way out of the room. I’d always heard this place was to be fun and happy, but that’s not how I fell now. Silently, I stand near the door, wondering if I should take a second chance for someone to notice me. Sliding my foot back into the room, I enter again, to see people chattering happily with each other. I retake my seat in the back, when a man steps to the front of the room calling, “Bring it on in guys! Have a seat!” A thought crosses my mind and I quickly jump up, plopping myself into a seat in the front row. The lesson, (or something like that) starts, and I feel happy, because the man speaking emanates joy vigorously. He stops and we do a strange thing. We pray. The man dismisses us. Staying seated, I wait for someone to come to me, but the hope falls. Crying again, I stand, a sinking feeling now in my stomach, and walk from the room, leaving the newfound joy forever. I am just as alone as ever.

This writing is basically showing about a kid walking into a church for youth group and not having anyone talk to him/her. When the speaker starts, he feels happy. He feels like everything can be made better. He feels he finally found his place, then…sadly, no one talks to him.

What is happening here? This is real life people! These things happen! And yes, they do happen in our churches. You can’t just leave people sitting around because you don’t know them, or because you have other friends, or just because you don’t want more close friends.

In these times, YOU are missing opportunities to share your faith. To show that you can be kind and you can live for God.

If you can do these things and if I can do these things, then why are there still people sitting around alone, in school, at home, even at CHURCH EVENTS!!!!!!!

Take a stand. Show others who you are as a Christian and step out there. Shine your light. Start with the kids who have no friends; the ones who don’t have anything at all.

Over and Out.

Angela

Bliss Photography Contest

So, Maggie over at Bliss is holding another photography contest. (My favorite types of contests. :D)

You are supposed to take a picture of something (of course.) The picture has to be one of your absolute favorites. One that you always look at and just marvel at how you love the natural effect of the picture and how well you did capturing the moment.

I really like contests like this. :D So, I’m definitely going to be posting a picture…right now. Here’s the her blog button:

Now, for the picture. :D

The reason I chose this picture is because I took it while driving in the car, up a mountain. I was surrounded by so many glorious colored trees that God created. This one picture I marveled at the most though. The color combination in the leaves was so amazing that it makes the tree look as if it is on fire. Seeing this reminds me of the burning bush and how God provided for Moses. :D I love this picture and I hope you do too.

Angela

Thanksgiving- Part 2

The food was great. I enjoyed every bit of it! (except for the stuffing…I hate stuffing.) I enjoyed spending time with my family and laughing a lot.

Thanks. Giving. The time to give thanks.

Thanks. Giving. The time to eat food.

Thanks. Giving. The time to have fun with your family.

Thanks. Giving. The time to watch the Macy’s Day Parade.

Thanks. Giving. The time to watch football. (The Saints won by the way, for those of you who care. *myself*)

Thanks. Giving. The time to remember the pilgrims.

Thanks. Giving. The time to pack your sleeping bag so you can spend the night in line in front of a store.

We do all these things, but do you ever feel that there’s something missing? Something that you are obviously skipping over every year?

Yesterday as I was pondering and thinking about the pilgrims in my mind. (preparing for my post) While doing so I thought of it. The thing I’ve been missing all these years. God. See, we do all the things I said above, but the one thing we don’t do is worship God. Don’t get me wrong, I pray and everything before the big meal, but is that it? I say the things I’m thankful for, the top on the list, my relationship with Christ. Is that it? Yes, I don’t really do much for God on Thanksgiving or about God. Yesterday, when I thought of all the things the pilgrims would be thankful for after their long journey. I could only think of one. That God kept them safe.

Why can’t we celebrate Thanksgiving for God? The thing we’re all missing is that we have to give thanks to God for keeping the pilgrims safe. If they all died on the boat, or if they just never made it to America….would we be alive today? If we truly thank God for the food and mean it with all our heart, is that better than praying over it normally? If we spend time with family and show love toward them is that better than just spending time with family and laughing with them? Think about this today.

Over and Out.

Angela

By the way, I have a question. Why would ANYONE go shopping that early???

Thanksgiving

Normally, every blogger posts a Thanksgiving post: What I’m thankful for, What we’re eating, Family visiting…etc.etc.etc.

I decided that I’m not going to do that. :D It’s time for something a little bit different.

I’m going to see if you can get the idea of being a pilgrim.

Imagine this. You’re sitting on a ship, rocking at sea. Salt is caked in your hair and you can taste it in your mouth. You don’t have a lot of food and you’re starting to feel sort of sick after weeks of traveling. People all around you, your friends and family, are dying. Finally, you see land. After days of watching the land and waiting, you reach the land. You go ashore and agree on “Plymouth.” Remember the fact that you don’t have a lot of food and there’s still a lot of you, even though many died and fell overboard.

You obviously wouldn’t be very thankful would you?

Correct. Don’t even try to answer differently because then you’d be lying.

Don’t stop imagining. You see an indian.He teaches you how to grow your food. You then have food. You are thankful for all God has got you through.

Thanksgiving. Don’t just say that you’re thankful for something and then go eat food. It’s not right. Honor the pilgrims and pray for the ones who are going through a lot of troubles and don’t have a lot to be thankful for.

Over and Out.

Angela

Day 22

Today is the 22nd day of my 30 days..I coming close to the end and I am quite sad. I’m finally getting the hang of doing this…although I think I should add a 31st day, because October has 31 days. Anyway…today is Why I am Me. Um…this is quite a strange one, that I should have some trouble with, but we’ll see.

This is why I am me:

I am me and me is I, so me can be I and I can be me, but me can’t be you and you can’t be I. I am me. Me is me. I is I. You is You. God made me me and I. I am me, my own special person. I am me. Me is Me. Me is I. I am I. I is not You. Me is not you. You is not me. You is not I.

That is why I am me and not you.

Over and Out.

Day 21

Day 21- A picture of something or someone that makes me happy.

Generally, it would be easy telling you something that makes me happy, but now I have to have a picture of it! This stuff is tough…

This is it. The sun coming through the trees like this and being able to define every single ray of light. I find this amazing. I really love pictures like this. It makes you realize that God is amazing. His creation is amazing. The first thing he made is what we are staring at in this picture. What we see every day. Light. Like this pictures, why can’t you let your rays of light show. Be a light and shine for Jesus.

 

Over and Out.

I did this myself btw.

LiveJournal Tags: pictures,creation,amazing,light,God,Jesus