Happy Easter! Welcome to -Soapbox Sunday-

Matthew 28:1-10

The Resurrection

1 Early on Sunday morning,[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there. Remember what I have told you.”

8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”








Hello, and WELCOME to the first edition of "Soapbox Sunday." (It may well be the only edition..LOL!! Depends on if anyone joins me) HA!! Seriously, though... I realize that I couldn't have picked a busier weekend so don't let me put too much pressure on you guys.

As I've been saying all week... it'll be a chance for us to "preach" our little hearts out about any and everything. (No, I don't mean literal preaching, I just mean fulfilling the Titus 2 calling) OH, and if you do want to post under this new meme.. just leave a comment and we'll "blog hop" our way around. =-) If we have a few ladies to join in over the next few weeks I'll set up a "Mr. Linky" and have a graphic/code set up. I suppose we'll see? ;-)



So.. for my first post I want to talk about the third commandment.

"Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD, thy GOD in vain."


When I hear someone misuse the LORD'S Name it makes my skin crawl. I chose this for today because the LORD'S name is so commonly misused that it's now accepted as just another "slang" word.

I wanted to take our boys to watch a new movie that's coming out. It's rated "G." AWESOME! But wait, when researching on Dr. James Dobson's site pluggedinonline.com I quickly found that the movie used the term "Oh my God" more than once. So.. could someone PLEASE tell me WHY movie makers can't make a movie that's family friendly that DOESN'T misuse the LORD'S Name? Oh YEA... THIS is where my soapbox begins..







What does it mean to take the LORD'S Name in vain? Well, I've heard it said that the Jewish people (GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE) had such a fear and reverence for GOD that they wouldn't even use the name GOD. (Can anyone confirm that?) So, taking the LORD'S name in vain is not only when it's used to curse, but ANY TIME that's it's used in a light manner. The easiest way to explain how I've heard this taught is that if we're not talking TO GOD, or ABOUT HIM... we should NEVER use HIS name. Those are the only two instances we would be using it in a way that HONORS HIM.

What do you think??

Then Sings My Soul ~ Saturdays

I was looking for an "Easter type song" and found this video instead. It's SO POWERFUL - showing how we can "dance" with JESUS one minute, then move away from HIM and become entangled in sin. When we finally decide to RUN back to HIM, HE'S THERE waiting for us to return! I LOVE how the video shows HIM PULLING us back to HIMSELF. I always find myself SOBBING as I watch this. I know what it's like to be "in the pit" and I know what it's like to find forgiveness. I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I do.









For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturdays" posts, check out Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.




Now, I had another video that I saw on a new friend's blog... "To Know HIM." This video is about one AMAZING little lady and I couldn't wait to share her story!






Now, to share another "amazing" story - although maybe not on that level...


A few days ago grief overtook me. (For anyone new to my blog - we lost our 11 yr old son to cancer a little over a year ago. Most days are pretty good, Wednesday.. not so good) When I get really upset I always try to get somewhere alone to "cry it out" but on this particular day my two little ones quickly found me. Zach (our 10 year old) sat and held my hand. I could hear him send Gabe for something. I was pretty sure he told him to "Go get Mama a tissue." Gabe (our 7 year old) came back a couple of minutes later with this over his face....








What a sweetie! And creative too! I was completely blown away at his effort to make me smile. (He actually got me tickled) We're O-SO-BLESSED to have such AMAZING little boys!



For those of you that are interested in taking part of our first "Soapbox Sunday" be sure to check back later this evening (or tonight). I'm going to post early to avoid chaos tomorrow morning.


THANKS for stopping by!

Favorite Foto Friday - Easter

After looking at the date on the computer I'd say this was the last Easter picture I have of Brent. (Pretty sure I didn't even make pics of Zach & Gabe last year) I'm SO THANKFUL for photography and how far it's come. =-)


For more pics on this "Foto Friday" visit "Kiss the Frog 4 Me."



Now, before I go I'd like to share a great way to explain the Easter Story to our little ones. (The cookies really are yummy)




Tomb Cookies

Ingredients

Bible

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 qt. or gal. size zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape





1. Preheat oven to 3000 F or 1500 C.

2. Place pecans in ziploc bag and let kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read: John 19:1-3. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted
together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck Him in the face.

3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Add teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the
Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."


5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins.

Read Luke 23:27. A large number of people followed Him, including women who
mourned and wailed for Him.


6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes
refuge in Him.

John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."


7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."


John 3:1-3. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the
Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a
teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are
doing if God were not with Him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."


8. Fold in broken nuts.

9. Line the cookie sheet with waxed paper. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60. As evening approached, there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate,
he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

10. Place the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matthew 27:65-66. "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as
secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on
the stone and posting a guard.


11. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20. "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world
rejoices. You will grieve, buy your grief will turn to joy."

And John 16:22 "So with you~ Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

On Easter morning, open the oven and remove the cookies. Take a bite. Notice that the
cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 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. 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 worshipped Him.

~Thankful Thursday~

This was a really easy post for me. Sometimes it's a little difficult because I don't do well making decisions - ESPECIALLY when there's so much to choose from. Well, with TODAY being set aside as "Thankful Thursday" and Easter Sunday quickly approaching... I'm posting on my JESUS!





Of all the people and things I love and hold dear... I can HONESTLY say there is NOTHING I LOVE MORE than HIM. HE loved us enough to live and die for us. I would GLADLY give up my life for my children - but for a hardened criminal that beats his wife and children. NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! (Sorry, just being honest here) JESUS did that very thing. He died for us when we were still marred with sin. HE didn't ask us to go and get straightened out then come back... HE took us just as we were when we accepted HIM.

I know my life and all the ways I've hurt HIM. I'm sure there are many times that I'm not even aware of. Yet HE loves me still.

I'm especially thankful that HE provided us an eternity with no sickness, no death, no pain. There will be no rejection - just LOVE EVERLASTING! (I'm also INCREDIBLY THANKFUL that we'll be reunited with our loved ones)

So before I sign off I'd like to share a video with a powerful message. If any here today do not know JESUS, I PRAY this will touch your heart and you will find HIM.









For more posts on this "Thankful Thursday" check out Sting My Heart.





Once again, I'll end reminding everyone that I want to try a new meme this Sunday. (I'm thinking of calling it "Soapbox Sunday") God calls us to be Titus 2 Women, right? Well, this will give each of us a chance to get on our trusty little boxes and encourage each other with whatever GOD has placed on our hearts. As I mentioned in previous posts... we'll experiment for the first week or two and see if it catches on. Simply sign the guestbook and we'll "blog hop" around finding pearls of wisdom as we go. If it does catch on, I'll have a Mr. Linky done and make our travels easier. Okay.. hope to see you Sunday! (Oh, for the sake of time on Sunday morning I'll probably post mine sometime Saturday night - feel free to start early as well)

Word FILLED Wednesday

I just love this graphic and scripture! Look closely at those "aged" hands. I'm sure they belong to a man, but they still remind me of my grandmother's. I know I've seen them clasped so many times in prayer.







For more on this "Word-Filled Wednesday" check out "The 160 Acre Woods."



Now, I need to pass out/return some special awards that were given to me.








I'd like to thank my friends e-Mom and Kim for the Very Sweet Friendship Award they've given me. Guys, I'm SO SLOW at this and am honestly still learning the ropes around here. My best gal Susan awarded with with the one just below a while back... (Thank You, Susan - I'm sorry I never formally acknowledged it)





Yes, I admit it... I'm a goofball! So, since I'm just terrible at catching on and making decisions I'll just pass the friendship award on to all of my new blogging friends. (Yes, I realize that's cheating, but hey, I'm afraid I'll leave someone out) If you're here today then consider yourself AWARDED! THANK YOU all for being so kind and extending your hearts and friendship to me!


Now, before I could get this posted I found that my new friend Sarah has "tagged" me for another game (meme?) not sure what it's formally called. Once again I'll "cheat" and invite anyone reading to play along. O=-) SO, here are the rules....



Rules are:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.




7 Facts about myself in random order... Oh, and I'm going to try to share things that you might not know about me.

1. I LOVE spending time with my little family - my hubby and our 3 boys mean THE WORLD to me! (Okay, that's a GIVEN)

2. Soon I'm going to be an "Auntie" again! (WOO-HOO!)

3. (Weird fact?) I have a REALLY WEIRD sense of humor. I LOVE to laugh and find humor in almost EVERYTHING! (Did you see the flame trowing commercial I posted on my blog party? Enough said. LOL!)

4. I'm afraid of flying. Yes, I went to Vermont and back, but my sweet Brent was "calming me" all the way! (He'd say, "It's okay, I'm here, Mama")

5. I've learned to like football, westerns, hunting and fishing... but golf STILL BORES me to TEARS. (Thankfully it's NOT on my hubby's "things to do" list)

6. I do NOT like bugs... I'm HORRIFIED of almost ALL of them! ICK! (I'm shivering just thinking about it) Don't like snakes either!

7. I'm also squimish in high places.


Thanks, Sarah for thinking of me! =-)




WHOOPS! Before I forget... I wanted to share something from my post yesterday.

I wanted to share an idea for a new meme. I'm thinking of calling it "Soapbox Sunday." It'll be a time when we can pull out those trusty ole soapboxes and share what's on our hearts. (You know, kind of living out Titus 2?) I've really enjoyed the "memes" and have noticed there's not a lot to do on Sunday. (At least not that I've found) This theme can be made as quick and easy as you'd like, or as long and informative as you wanna make it. Let me know what you think? Check back on Sunday and leave a comment if you want to participate. We can hop to each other's blogs via the comment section. If it takes off I'll see about getting a "Mr. Linky." If not.. we'll, I babble all week long to myself.. one more day sure won't break me. LOL!!

Tuesday's ~ In Other Words

Today I'm joining my sister in Christ, Michelle on this "Tuesday's In Other Words." I like the quote she has chosen because it is true for each of us. There are some things that just HAVE to be worked out between GOD and ourselves.






I seem to always talk about losing Brent, and I worry that it makes others uncomfortable.. but this is my cross, it's what I must bear, it's where I am. With that said, this quote kind of sums up my testimony. I know that I struggled with GOD after we lost Brent. I battled anger and trust issues. I had to forget EVERYTHING I had been taught about GOD and find HIM again for myself. GOD is to be trusted when our world falls apart around us. HE is to be trusted when we're DESPERATE for HIM to take "our cup" from us. HE is to be TRUSTED when we feel we can trust no more.

As humans we battle pride, greed, selfishness... the list can go on and on. When things are "good" in our lives it's VERY EASY to fall into a rut and grow cold in our relationship with GOD. HOWEVER, it is in those valleys, those dark and scary places that we LEARN that our GOD CAN be trusted. We come to KNOW HIM as our ROCK, our SHELTER, our STRONG TOWER. Our GOD us unshakable. HE'S IMMOVABLE.. HE CANNOT, HE WILL NOT STUMBLE OR FAIL. HE LOVES us with an everlasting love... HE drew us to HIMSELF when we were unlovable. HE STILL DOES. These are lessons that other humans could not teach me. I had to learn these things on my own. I'm reminded of a passage from the book of Job.


Job 42:5 (New Living Translation)

5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.







Yes, as much as some lessons hurt, and as badly as we might want to share them with others... I'm SO THANKFUL for the things the LORD will teach us when we're all alone - with HIM.




Okay, before I sign off I wanted to share an idea for a new meme. I'm thinking of calling it "Soapbox Sunday." It'll be a time when we can pull out those trusty ole soapboxes and share what's on our hearts. I've really enjoyed the "memes" and have noticed there's not a lot to do on Sunday. (At least not that I've found) This theme can be made as quick and easy as you'd like, or as long and informative as you wanna make it. Let me know what you think? Check back on Sunday and leave a comment if you want to participate. We can hop to each other's blogs via the comment section. If it takes off I'll see about getting a "Mr. Linky." If not.. we'll, I babble all week long to myself.. one more day sure won't kill me. LOL!!

Miracle Monday

Wow, another "first" for me in blogland! I'm so excited to be participating in "Miracle Monday." I've seen GOD do some AMAZING things, but what I'm about to share with you is by far the GREATEST!

See, just days before our 11 year old son went HOME to be with JESUS, he began having conversations with GOD. No, I don't mean "praying" (he did lots of that too) I mean we could tell that GOD (in whatever form HE revealed HIMSELF to Brent) was talking back. (Isn't that the way prayer is SUPPOSED to work? It's usually "one-sided" on my part... I chatter away and then it's like... "In JESUS Name, Amen."

The reason I say that this wasn't prayer was because of the way it happened. See, Brent didn't know he was dying. We STOOD on GOD'S WORD and BELIEVED that Brent WOULD BE HEALED. We KNEW HE would, we just didn't know if it'd be here on earth, or in HEAVEN. Brent accepted Christ as his Savior on Easter Sunday at the age of 8. We KNEW that JESUS would have Brent no matter what and we didn't see any point in worrying our little man over something so scary.

Well, GOD did just as any loving father would do. HE spent time with HIS son and prepared him for what was to come. The first time we heard anything of that nature from Brent was when he said, "It's PERFECT, LORD, I LOVE IT!"

Another time....

"LORD, please let me look... can I look, LORD?" Later that same day, "Lord, I'm sorry I tried to look.. I just wanted to see YOU."


As his time on earth was coming to an end we heard, "It won't be long now, will it, LORD?" (He waited and listened for a response then said) "I knew it, I knew it wouldn't be long now."





Yes, I've heard of people talking with the LORD before they pass... but I'd never witnessed it for myself. We saw and heard enough to bring our hearts peace with "letting him go."


Do we serve an AMAZING GOD or WHAT??? Friends, I know this might all sound discouraging, but watching our son interact with his CREATOR was the GREATEST MIRACLE (AND BLESSING) of all time! I'd like to invite you to read all about his last days. (It's truly miraculous - and so AMAZING) If you'd like you can visit his caringbridge history by clicking here. You'll want to start reading around December 18, 2006. You can read more current family updates on the main page. caringbridge.org/ms/brentnason


You can read more on this "Miracle Monday" by visiting Beth at "A Mom's Life."

I'd like to end today by asking for prayer for another family that recently lost their baby. You can visit the Oswalt family blog here, or you can visit their son Carter's caringbridge site. THANKS SO MUCH for your prayers!

WHOOPS! How can I forget??? Today is my first day "sporting" my new blog design. I'd like to thank Jennisa for doing a FANTASTIC job! I think it's just BEAUTIFUL!! I'm BEYOND BLESSED and am SO THANKFUL for the way it turned out. You can find her at jennisajoy.blogspot.com

THANKS AGAIN, Jennisa!

~Then Sings My Soul Saturdays~

Wow! I'm SO EXCITED about this new "meme!" Well, it's new to me.. today is actually the second edition. As I admitted the other day... we LOVE to sing and dance with our boys! It took some serious thought as to what song I wanted to share with you. (I LOVE so many) Today I chose one by Mandisa. I had the privilege of seeing her last summer in Nashville, Tennessee. (At least I THINK it was Nashville - I'm SUCH A LOONY TOON!)

I LOVE Mandisa's version. (It's actually originally by "Mary Mary") This song is INDEED my testimony! As many of you know we lost our 11 year old son last year after an off and on two year battle with cancer. I've been "in the pit," I've been bound by fear and sorrow, and NOW my GOD has removed those "Shackles" and is daily restoring my JOY!

I KNOW you will be blessed.

Of course you'll have to overlook those nasty comments made by some of the "American Idol" judges at the end of the video. (They obviously have problems with Christianity)



For other posts on this ~Then Sings My Soul Saturdays~ check out Signs Miracles and Wonders.

Favorite Foto Friday #31 Spring Fever!

I'm running short on time this morning so I'm only going to share one picture today. This one was made a few years ago, before Brent got so sick. I LOVE to find pictures of our boys together... especially when they actually APPEAR to LIKE each other. LOL!! There is no doubt, even when fighting - these boys were CRAZY about each other.







For more fun on this "FFF" check out Sarah's Blog.

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for dirty faces...





muscle men....





cowboys...




and pictures of our 3 handsome boys...





I'm also thankful for good times we've had, memories we've made, and those we will continue to make. I'm thankful for boys who like to dance and be crazy with their Mom... and I'm also THANKFUL for cool music!

Yes, Brent when was approaching those "preteen" years much of his life revolved around music. We sang and danced and enjoyed life to the sound of our favorite tunes. In protecting our boys we've always kept the music clean by listening to Christian music. Most of which brings tears to my eyes as so many songs remind me of times with Brent. I'm VERY HAPPY to say that I met a new friend online (Kysha) who introduced me to a new artist. Well, he's new to me. O;-) His name is Coffey and I'm proud to share a video from GodTube. Our boys & I LOVE him! I hope you enjoy...

If you'd like to read more posts on this "Thankful Thursday" then hop over to Iris' place... you'll be blessed!