This Week … My Heart!

A Heart Week!

It’s a week on the annual calendar that is profound, provoking, life-giving and redemptive.

This is the week, in my faith, we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the events of his crucifixion, ending with the glorious celebration of His resurrection!!

It is the most POWER filled week in the life of Christ followers!

Christmas announces and celebrates Jesus coming to earth, which is essential for this week to happen, but if Jesus was only a babe, a person, and did not come to redeem us… all hope is lost!

That’s the word…. HOPE!! This week is truly the definition of H.O.P. E.! Without his love and sacrifice, I believe, any restitution with God for a sinful man is hopeless! We have no hope of life beyond sin nor eternal life.

JESUS = HOPE

Not for a select few… for ALL! Anyone, everyone, every life created. I believe Jesus is OUR hope: whoever you are!!!

As often happens, senses and hearts dull to fully remembering and celebrating. It happens every year! Busyness robs focus. We end up with rote mediocre gestures and traditions. Hearts tire.

I do NOT want that for you, my friend, this week!!

I want your heart to feel alive to all the past, present, and future events Jesus Christ leads us to! I want you to contemplate and invigorate your faith and hope! This IS the season, THE celebration. If not now, when?
THERE IS no greater HOPE!!

Put your hearts and souls in a posture to celebrate all the meanings this week holds.

I know not all of us have local happenings to stimulate our senses. Maybe your church is small, maybe you live in a rural place, maybe your health doesn’t permit gathering, but that does not count you out from experiencing God/Jesus in a big way!! If you are a committed Christ believer, His spirit is with you. He can inspire, renew, refresh, invigorate you from within! Also, there are many tools within your reach to help you celebrate BIG!!

It just takes some intention! Some feeding of your soul! Some caring for your heart!!

Allow me to suggest a few ways for that to occur:

1. Listen to a Palm Sunday/Easter sermon, search YouTube on your smart TV or computer! If you need help, ask a younger person! It’s easy!

Search a bit. Not everyone will suit you.

2. Watch an Easter Production, search “Passion Play” on YouTube. There are tons and you can choose one for your style and liking.

3. Read the gospel accounts of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Don’t read and leave. Read and ponder! Mull it over, contemplate it, meditate on it. Read it a few days in a row! Let it soak in and reach your heart.

If you don’t have a Bible, you can find one online.

4. Music speaks to me!! Oh my… some of these songs touch so deep, I hardly know how to respond; Dance, shout, cry, kneel, etc. I get overcome with Jesus’ sacrifice, love and resurrection!

These are a few of my favorites, but I have a very long list. I really like using the music videos on YouTube. It feels like I am there, participating.

A. They Could Not by Sandi Patty. This is one of my favorite solos to sing. I’ve likely done it 75+ times, easily. I did it just this week in my living room!!

B. Thank you Jesus for the Blood by Charity Gayle

C. He’s Alive by Dolly Parton

D. Ain’t No Grave by Molly Skaggs

This one unglues me!!!!!

E. Lower Still by My Epic

     This was written and performed by my son’s band. The lyrics and their images bring me to tears. It is one of their most loved songs! The first version below is as written. The second was with “spoken word” which is an art form used by some today. It is not my son speaking, but it is done beautifully! Hold your heart!

5. Watch a movie about Jesus.

A. The Passion of Christ is the most graphic. I watched it once and grimace every time I see a clip. My body revolts against the images, but it is a fair description and remembrance of this week.

B. The Chosen (TV series)

     My husband and I watched Season 3 the last few weeks. Last year, we watched 1 & 2 leading up to Easter. The series has not reached Jerusalem week yet, but watching the life of Jesus play out has focused and centered my thoughts on him and grown my love for him. The images are bound to affect you.

You can download the Angel Network on your smart TV and watch it free there!

6. Use this excerpt of a prayer from The Valley of Vision to help you focus on Jesus this week.

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend, surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,  stripped that I might be clothed, wounded that I might be healed,  athirst that I might drink, tormented that I might be comforted,  made a shame that I might inherit glory, entered darkness that I might have eternal light. My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,  groaned that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, wore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem, bowed his head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might forever live. O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me, All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished; Help me to adore thee by lips and life.

I pray you find unexplainable, undeniable, unending hope as you celebrate our Lord this week!! I hope your heart is overcome and overwhelmed by His love for you!! If you don’t know … He LOVES You!!!

HALLELUJAH, JESUS HAS RISEN!
HE’S ALIVE!

Celebrating Jesus, my hope,