Tag: Easter story

Seasonal Place

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I find myself in an interesting place. Writing wise.

Although Christmas is over, the aura of the season continues on until the New Year comes. Currently I am in the process of writing a devotional, unlike most you see. Stay tuned on that, but do not hold your breathe.

It takes time. I am in the middle of April on that project. April is a time of new growth, spring rains, and celebrating Easter. Not everyone realizes that Easter is a religious observance of Jesus’s death—the Creator/Savior of the world.

If ever there was a man on a mission, it was Jesus.

Christmas is the time of year many celebrate the birth of Jesus. Conceived in the most unusual way. The Good Book speaks of him cover to cover. I recommend it if you want to meet the man, the legend, you can read all about Him.

He was not the Savior many created in their minds-eye. A king was expected, a king He was (is actually) but not of this world. He comes from and has returned to another realm.

Without Christmas there would be no Easter.

Both revolve around the same man.

Without Easter, there would be no hope.

Through Easter we observe who Jesus really is and how he died a horrific death. Not as a martyr but for a good cause. He loved people enough that he wants everyone to join him in this other realm. To do that, He had to die so that a comfortor could come and help us persevere until it was time for us to join him. Again, you will find the whole story in the Good Book.

The Christmas hymn Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, penned by Charles Wesley still lingers in the air. It speaks of ‘peace on earth, goodwill to men.’ We will see that in Jesus’s realm.

In the Easter season, we sing, Low in the Grave He Lay, written by Robert Lowry, His words include, ‘up from the grave he rose.’ Not everyone believes that, but know, that is where hope stems from.

As we embark on another new year, I wish for you to have hope. Hope springs eternal and is what keeps us moving forward.

Happy New Year!

It’s A Done Deal

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Cross picture
© jb katke

Do you get into folklore stories? Some folks are and can’t get enough of it. The reason I ask is I’ve just finished reading a book that claimed to be a true legend. With some research I learned a true legend is a story handed down that is true, but there is no proof of it.

The only legend I am familiar with is the one about J. Have you heard of him? Tons of books have been written about him. From what I understand, J was from another world. How he got here is disputed. But it’s hard to deny the existence of a guy standing in front of you.

According to the story, a magical voice spoke to a young girl saying she was going to have a baby, but not by natural means. Supposedly she was a goody two shoes, as we call people today that seem to do no wrong. Naturally this caused quite a stir from her family, even her boyfriend was put off by the whole thing.

One would need to be a fly on the wall to hear the conversations that followed her announcement. Nothing is documented on what her folks had to say, but the boyfriend was ready to nix their marriage plans. But the magical voice spoke to him too, so he wound up staying by her side.

So that is how J came to planet earth. He was an interesting sort of character. People either loved him or hated him. He had that kind of personality that seemed to draw out a persons’ true character. It was as if he could see right through them and read their minds. But he told neat stories that always seemed to have a message and drew folks to him from all over.

Keep in mind he was an alien from another realm, they can do what no man can. J healed sick people. That could be another reason for drawing as many crowds as he did. His actions irritated so many knowledgeable men of the day. J made them look bad because he could do things they couldn’t. He knew things that they didn’t. J claimed to be on a mission.

There was only one thing the haters could do…get rid of J. It would solve all their problems and once again, folks would look up to them in respect.  To accomplish this a trial was necessary, only the timing was bad. There was a religious holiday going on. So a pretend one was established.

The scum of the earth people were hauled in to court giving false testimony. The whole thing was a cruel joke. But it was effective and J was tortured, beaten, and nailed to a cross. Yes nailed! Let that sink in a moment. He hung there for all the world to see until he died. The haters won, or so they thought.

One would wonder, if J knew so much, why would he put himself through this? What exactly was his mission? He made some outrageous claims. Like he and his dad created life! You and I know how babies come, but this lends the question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? Something had to get the ball rolling, right?

It didn’t stop there. He was always talking about the home he came from. That people could come live there with him if they wanted to. How is that possible? All he asked was to give credit where it’s due. To acknowledge him as who he was, the Son of God. J had a way of making all the wrongs of this world turn into something right, like is was his ultimate plan all along.

One little problem with the haters plan. They neglected to keep in mind they were dealing with an alien.  J didn’t stay dead! He helps us see what he sees, encourages us to want what he wants…he draws us.

J is waiting but the ball is in your court on what you think of this true legend.

Happy Easter!