Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Greatest Story of All Time

As we are quickly approaching Easter Sunday and in the midst of Holy Week, I wanted to take some time to write through my thought processes on the Greatest Story of all time. We just finished a sermon series at our church called "News Flash! Getting the Sacred Story Straight." Pastor Tucker went through the Who, What, Where, When, and Why of the gospel message. And it wasn't a deep theological series, but it was about how we, who claim to be Christ followers, are called to share the good news to the whole around us and about being prepared to give an answer for the HOPE that we have in eternity! We are constantly bombarded with news all around us, but there is only 1 message that truly matters, one story that has the power to transform lives, bring healing, and give hope. And it is this......

Our world today is not what God intended it to be. When He created the earth and the entire universe, it was perfect. It was flawless, holy, and good, peaceful and right. All of creation was a testimony to the power and grandeur of God.
 But once Satan (an angel who rebelled against God) tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God, and they did.... Sin entered our world. Not only did sin enter into the fabric of our entire being, but it has literally broken the universe itself. The entire creation is under a curse. The bible says, "the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Romans 8:22) As a result, we live in a fallen, sinful, broken, evil world. We see the effects of sin all around us.. death, sickness, pain, and suffering.

Because our God is perfect, holy, and without sin.. we, who are stained by sin, are separated from God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) There is nothing we can do to bridge the gap between ourselves and God. And this is where the GOOD NEWS comes in....

The most amazing story of all time that has forever changed the course of history... God came down to us in the form of man, Jesus, fully human yet fully God, who lived a perfect life without sin! He sent Jesus as the Messiah, Savior of the world. And he died the most awful death on a cross as God laid on him the sins of ALL mankind, the sins of the entire human race, past, present, and future. His dead body was buried in a tomb. And 3 days later when a few women went to visit his tomb, they found his body was missing. An angel appeared to them telling them that Jesus is alive, He has risen! I love the stories recorded in the bible of Jesus appearing to people after He had risen!
When Jesus rose from the dead, God conquered DEATH, SIN, AND the DEVIL for eternity! He made a way for humankind to be restored into fellowship with Himself once again. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are reconciled to God and all who believe in Him are guaranteed eternal life! Romans 3:22 says "This righteousness from God comes through FAITH in Jesus Christ to ALL who believe.. for ALL are justified FREELY by his GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."!

So yes, we currently live in a broken and fallen world... Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) THIS is the HOPE that believers have! 1 John 3:9 says "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) God promises that He is returning for a second time to create a NEW heaven and earth and restore all of creation to how He intended it to be. He is coming again to do away with sin and suffering once and for all! But, He is waiting. He wants ALL people to believe in the atoning work of Jesus and receive eternal life in heaven. What an amazing GIFT, that we do not have to do anything but to accept it.
And THAT is the greatest story of all time! THAT is what we celebrate this Easter Sunday!

I've been listening to this song today, and plan to listen to it all week, "The Scandal of Grace."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpsjgdLRf7E
Grace, what have you done?
Murdered for me on that cross
Accused in absence of wrong
My sin washed away in your blood

Too much to make sense of it all
I know that your love breaks my fall
The scandal of grace, you died in my place
So my soul will live

... The grace and love of our God is hard for us to wrap our minds around! It is like a "scandal" that someone took OUR place for the punishment of sin and we receive the free GIFT! That is just like our God =) Happy Easter!


Monday, March 4, 2013

Family Pics

My family was here 2 months ago, but I just have to post some of my favorite pictures before I move them over to the hard drive! It was just Mom and Chandler... Dad wasn't able to make it this time.


Reading with Uncle Chan
 
 At the park





Chan making his protein shake.. pump it up! ;) 
 
 Playing with Grandma

Geocaching

 
 Webcamming with Dad!




 

 Out for frozen yogurt, yummmm
 
 Climbing around
 
At the museum

 
Chan's puppet show freaked Wyatt out, LOL





 
This boy loooves reading
 
And he loooves his Uncle Chan! Climbing on him while he was trying to rest, hehe

 
Already counting down until they'll be back out to San Antonio! This time with Dad too! 4 months to go =)

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About Me

Hi, I'm Jenna! Wife of 9 years to my high school sweetheart, Tyler, and stay-at-home mama to our 3 year old, Wyatt, and 1 year old foster daughter. I blog about our extra-ordinary days to keep family updated and because I enjoy journaling and documenting the things that bring me joy... faith, family, and friends!

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