Greatest Day In History

*The Greatest Day in History

Death is beaten, You have rescued me

Sing it out, Jesus is alive

The empty cross, the empty grave

Life eternal, You have won the day

Shout it out, Jesus is alive

He's alive

Oh, happy day, happy day

You washed my sin away

Oh, happy day, happy day

I'll never be the same

Forever I am changed

Blessings upon Blessings 

this glorious Resurrection Sunday 2015! 

*Tim Hughes - Happy Day Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

I Need to Laugh

It's been a fairly heavy week. And I have certainly done my share of crying.

taken on a weekend get away to Orcas Island. Jan was there to greet us when we arrived.
Always a gracious host.

On Friday morning we received the sad news that our sister-in-love had gone 'home' to Jesus after a long hard battle with cancer. Jan was one of the kindest, gentlest, giving women I have ever had the privilege to know and our family will have a huge hole with her gone. She was married to Bruce's brother and while we didn't see each other very often (a few times a year) there was always a welcoming presence about her. Even after the chemo destroyed her body and getting around was a painful experience, she still had a sweet spirit of wanting to serve and help others. Jan, you were a beautiful example of loving kindness and you will be so greatly missed!

I found this heart shaped rock on the beach during that weekend on Orcas.
I think that finding hearts in nature is like finding a love letter from God. 

Learning of her passing on what we call 'Good Friday' and knowing that because of the sacrifice our Savior made on this day so many many years ago, we can rest in the assurance that we will see Jan again. Yet that does not remove the pain of losing her. At Good Friday service that night, I was helping in leading worship and each song made me fight to hold it together. But our last song, "In Christ Alone", one of the most beautiful anthems of our faith, I could not hold the tears back any longer. As we sang the mighty words 'no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me..."  I just let the tears fall. (mind you this song has the power to bring me to tears anyway) And it was OK. They were tears of both sorrow and joy.

The weekend was busy; Saturday was back to back activities. I had my Christian Women's Writers Group in the morning, followed by our church's Easter Program for the kids. From there it was a surprise birthday party for a friend. It was a fun party and at one point, I looked over at Bruce and said "We are so rich." For indeed, the room was full of some stellar people and the friendships we have developed has blessed us so much!

on loan from a friend and I can't wait to delve in!

From the party, a group of us headed to the movies! We watched "Heaven is For Real". I had read the book a couple of years ago and am thinking a re-read is in order. I enjoyed the movie very much. It was well done and very encouraging. I know both Bruce and I were thinking of Jan.

Sunday was of course, Easter! Resurrection Sunday. We had a wonderful service, which included the powerful exercise of something known as Cardboard Testimonies. I wish we'd taped them but this link will give you a good example of what it's about. Basically, it's a sign with one side stating who you were before Christ, and the other side is who you are in Christ now. For example, one of the signs that my friend carried said "depression and addiction" on one side and when flipped over proclaimed "overflowing with joy and purpose." As each of our folks walked across the front of the church with their sign, one of the band members sang an original song he'd written called "The Great Romance". Pretty sure there were more than just a few wet eyes by the time it was all done.

because of Calvary...

After church Bruce and I both kind of hit the wall and decided that despite some great invitations to join others, it was best for us to just go home and rest. We took a beautiful walk along the river during the late afternoon and explored a trail we'd not ever taken before and were treated to some extraordinary beauty.

gonna lay down my burdens, down by the river side....

Happy Easter from the Love-Burkes.

We had hoped to work in a visit to see the grandsons but we had learned earlier that morning that the little one was sick. And as the day progressed, so did his illness. Finally we got the news that mommy and daddy had taken him to the hospital where he's been admitted and tests are being run, even now as I write this. He is only 3 weeks old and while the temp. isn't terribly high, it was high enough to warrant a stay in the hospital till they figure out whats going on.

another love letter from God as we walked the river. 

As we were digesting the news of our grandson, we then learned that one of our dearest friends was also in the hospital and in need of a pacemaker! Her surgery is taking place this morning. This afternoon I will be making hospital visits to both my loved ones and my heart is heavy with all the sad news of the past few days.

A feeling of lethargy has settled in. I got in my power walk this morning and began to tackle household chores but I certainly wasn't feeling it. I dreaded facing my kitchen which looked ransacked after our whirlwind weekend.

The need for a good laugh is desperately called for. So I'm looking for funny. And when I can't find it, I create my own.

In a desperate attempt to get motivated I've donned my June Cleaver pearls and apron!

I guess this might be what we sometimes refer to as "A Bad Case of the Mondays."

How glad I am to know that I can come before the Throne of Grace and lay down my burdens, pour out my heart and receive His Peace.

All because of Calvary.

the power of the cross is only surpassed by Christ's conquering death by rising again!

recovering

the Easter weekend was a beautiful~blessed~busy time..... and I'm still recovering. :) today is a veg-out day. canceled mom day in favor of going back to bed and sleeping till nearly noon and now sipping coffee and listening to the melodic sound of rain in the drainpipe. hubby told me to take today and rest. happy to oblige as cranky and ill are 2 things I really want to avoid.

happy to share some favorite fotos from our Resurrection Sunday.

before church we stopped at Eagle Watch Park & took a walk in the glorious sunshine. No eagles but the warm breeze & spectacular views were a balm.

the perfect rock for lounging.

these 2 handsome men greeted us upon our arrival at Bruce's son's home. 

~beautiful little family~

three generations of goodness

to add to the beautiful sunshiny day, we took a walk down by the water. Spectacular!

~~love this picture~~

Easter 2012

Priorities

I am doing a series of posts on Embracing Change with specific leanings toward health and fitness. Interestingly enough I am seeing how these thoughts are tools I can use to apply to other areas of my life, such as my spiritual life. Welcome to the journey!



Now that we have identified the problem, the second step in embracing change is to Prioritize the problem.

Prioritizing requires us to stop and consider how this problem rates with other issues we might be dealing with in our lives right now. Ask yourself some questions... they might sound something like this:
> with my financial budget in such dire straights can I afford a gym membership?
> with small children at home and in need of constant attention, how can I find the time, let alone the energy for any kind of fitness program?
> will I make time to prepare healthy nourishing meals instead of the pre-packaged (and often more affordable) stuff I have in my pantry?
> will I be able to stick to an eating plan during holiday and family festivities/vacations?

 One of the things I picked up on over and over again in my years as the owner of a women's fitness center was that we women are so good at putting ourselves last. I think women really struggle to justify any time for themselves, much less for their health. What irony! If we don't take care of ourselves, we soon won't be able to take care of those we love! BUT when we make our health a priority-- or at least get it on our list of to-do's, we win, our family wins, our job wins, and so does our energy and our spirit.

So, here are today's questions as we prioritize the problem.

1. how will exercise and weight loss help you with other priorities you may have?

2. how will you rearrange your priorities so that nutrition and health can receive adequate attention?

3. list the ways that putting your health first will benefit you.


It is fitting that on this Holiest of Holy Days, we remember that our salvation was God's Greatest Priority, so much so that He sent His Only Son, to die for our sins so that we might be set free to live eternally. Some day I am going to live in heaven where I will have a new body that I believe will be healthy and whole. Until that day comes however, I have to work at getting-- and keeping-- this body in good shape so that I can serve in the way God wired me to serve.

May God speak to you this Good Friday... remember.... it's Friday but Sunday's Coming!

It's been awhile...

Hello blog, how are you? 

I know I've missed a day or two or three or four....

I've been a little preoccupied

and things have been messy

emotions low, high, raw, tender...

Roller coaster weekend

full of tears and laughter

pain and celebration

isn't that the way life goes?

Looking back on it, Easter weekend was all it should be and more... a time to pray and celebrate and share and celebrate some more. But just below the surface was a constant ache as the news I received the day before the big weekend was too big to be forgotten.
My job is ending. Tomorrow is my last day. I have cried. A lot. And prayed and been comforted and know, know, know, in the midst of it all God has a plan for me-- a plan for good and to prosper me-- a future with hope---
still, I am sad. Its to be expected... and I know it is okay.

In the midst of this news is also learning that my mother has a fracture in her spine, that has likely been there for a couple of years and is probably related to a fall she took and why it has never bothered her till now, we may never know. But bother her now it does and she is in a lot of pain. I spent the day with her today. She was in her robe and slippers, too achy and too tired from lack of good sleep, to really function. She has pain med's (Rx) but she doesn't like the loopy feeling they give her so she saves it for night time. Only she forgot to take one last night and so she did not sleep and by the time she thought about taking one it was too close to morning and she didn't want to be groggy because she knew I was coming to visit.

Poor woman. Groggy from lack of sleep instead of the pill and still in pain. She wasn't up to going out with me but she had a list and so off I went, list in one hand, money in the other. When I got back with all her supplies, we sat and watched it rain-- sheets and sheets of rain!

And as we sat, we talked. My relationship with my mom has as many ups and downs as my weekend had! But today was a sweet one. Those are rare which makes me sad, but I will take what I can get when it comes to my mom and a sweet day with her!

She told me the other night she went to bed and told God to let her sleep all night long and not to wake her up until at least 5 a.m. And God complied. (when mom speaks, you better listen, right? Even God-- lol) She realized she had forgotten to read her bible that morning and she was tsk-tsk-tsking herself about it.

She talked about Debby, the sister who died before I was born and she talked about how even though it hurt and it never really has stopped hurting, she learned she HAD to give it to Jesus or she would not have made it through the pain. She said, Debby is in a much better place then any of us. She is with Jesus! And she wondered if when she see's Debby again, will she still be 4 years old or will she have grown up?

As mom talked, I thought how strong her faith really is. She gave her life to Jesus when she was a young girl, at a Young Life meeting and she has been  a faithful follower of God all her life. She taught me bible verses and songs about Jesus. I guess I was struck for the first time with how influential my mother has been in my own faith. It's been in a quiet way but in that quiet way she has spoken through actions to others in her life. When you are a kid you don't necessarily notice things like that.

Today, I did. 

Resurrection Weekend

~Good Friday~ powerful~ baptisms~ obedience~ faithfulness~ surprises~ 
joy~

~Saturday~ kid's program~ salvations~ egg hunt~ fun~ prayer walk~ hope~
joy~

~Sunday~ He is risen~ celebration~ worship~ family~friends ~ 
joy~

Easter Weekend was all this and more..... Because Jesus is alive!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know- I know- who holds the future, life is worth the living- just because He lives!  (thank you Gaithers!)

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Well, okay, so it's actually Sunday afternoon by the time I finally sit down to write this. But it was beautiful up on the mountain this morning.

When I say 'up on the mountain' on a Sunday, I am actually referring to worship at the Kendall CTK campus. We love being there and love the people and the spirit of worship we can feel. Alive and free and full of energy and love and joy bubbling over! It is amazing to see, feel, experience!

We were doubly blessed this day because a dear friend went with us; his first visit to this church and I think he really enjoyed it. I meet a couple of new people today, who were visiting as well.

One of the fun things that has been occurring for me the last few weeks at this church is that I keep meeting people who are the same age as my son, who were friends with him when he was in his late teens. It gives me hope and joy when I see these 'kids' who have turned their lives over to Jesus. I pray that someone in Alabama will be Jesus to my son and be an encourager to him and as a result, he will be able to make peace and reconciliation with others. That would include me.

I don't talk about my relationship with my kids all that much, especially my son, because, one, it is painful to talk about, and two, I want to respect their lives by keeping things private. But, I would welcome prayers if you are so inclined. Prayers for healing and forgiveness and peace to come to my son. I hope that someday soon he and I would be able to meet face to face and celebrate together the life and family he has created.

My relationship with my parents was fraught with tension and hurts but I am so glad, so blessed for the healing God did in my heart before my father passed away. I am forever grateful for the fact that I was able to tell him I loved him and accept his "I love you" back. Forgiveness is such a powerful thing and I think sometimes we underestimate how freeing it is, how it plays such an integral part in healing and wholeness.

With Resurrection weekend approaching, I look at the Cross and the amazing sacrifice Jesus made for all of us so that we could experience forgiveness. It is too awesome, too wondrous for words. But each time I am able to offer forgiveness to someone who has wronged me, I get a very, very, very, small taste of what took place that day at Calvary. And as small as it is, it is still incredibly  powerful. Then I think: how much more is the gift that Jesus gave to each of us!

My prayer as we enter Holy Week, is for each one to know Jesus, the price that He paid for our sins, the forgiveness and wholeness He offers and the joy that new life in Him brings.

~ Peace and Blessings to all.