Snow & Jesus

There is nothing like the pristine appearance of a new fallen snow. So white, so fresh, so clean. That is how Jesus' clothes are described when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb on the Sunday following the crucifixion.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. Matthew 28:2-4

Our Lord, perfect and holy, clean and full of light.

I get a vision of what his clothes must have been like as I look at the snow when it is not touched by anyone. When the sun shines on the new fallen snow, it can be blinding!

Can you imagine being there? An earthquake, and angel, and the stone in front of the tomb moved! Then there was Jesus, he was supposed to be dead. There he was standing before them alive and shining like lightning!

It's no wonder that the angel said not to be afraid. The guards were so afraid that they shook and became like dead men!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

As the season of Lent begins, I look forward to hearing the Gospel again and seeing new insights that the Holy Spirit will reveal. I want to feel the joy  that the Good News of the Gospel brings. Will I feel fear when I first see my Lord? Joy on top of fear that will bring me to worship. I can hardly wait!

I want to tell the whole world the Good News of Jesus.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12  (NKJV)

I want my friends and family to know the Good News so that we will all live with the hope that we will see each other in our heavenly home for eternity. I want them all to know the redeeming grace that Jesus provides to all who believe in him.

 

 

 

Forever Family meets Birth Family

January 15, 2013 will mark a special spot in our memories of a day our family became a little larger when it did a merge with the birth family of our youngest son that was adopted.

Tears flowed as the family caught sight of Tom for the first time. We were at his birth father's funeral. Tom would not get a chance to meet his father on earth. We had tried for the past three years to arrange a meeting. He was very sad. Emotions ran high as we all met. Relatives that came generally knew when they first laid their eyes on Tom that he was the son of Thomas DeNucci for he carried a strong resemblance. We heard stories and Tom learned answers to many of his questions. New relationships were born.

There were military honors for Thomas DeNucci who served our country as a Marine in the Vietnam War from 1969-1971. Tom received his flag.

As we reflect upon that day and anticipate the days ahead, we know God has a plan in all of this. He brings people into our lives for a reason. Our merging is no mistake. So we will take it one day at a time knowing he will guide us all as our relationship grows with Him and with each other.

He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)

We know that our most important adoption is that of our Heavenly Father. My prayer as our family increases in size would be that we all would be in the family of God through his Son, Jesus Christ and be born of the Spirit.

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.

Ephesians 1:16-18 (NIV)