On this Good Friday, I pray we reflect on the love that Jesus Christ gave us by willingly giving his life for us and the eternal grace HE gave us by dying on the cross! Jesus' death was not the end, but Praise Jesus; it is the beginning of Hope, Forgiveness, and Eternal Life! So, today, no matter what wrongs you have done, Jesus paid it all in full! We don't deserve it and definitely haven't earned it, but HE offers it to us for free if we just believe and surrender all to HIM!
All HE asks is that we let HIM come into our hearts. If you haven't yet asked, I want to share a Salvation prayer that you can say right now. It is that simple—just ask HIM to come in to stay!
Salvation Prayer
Jesus, thank You for my redemption and for being my Redeemer. Thank you for paying me a price that is greater than anything I know or can imagine. Thank You for being my Lord, making me a part of Your family, calling me Your friend, and making it possible for me to place my life into the Father's care and keeping. What a privilege I have to honor and glorify You each day. Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus.
Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved".
Acts 2:21
I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life.
Romans 10:9-10
You were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6:20
As our family gathers and we do the our Easter traditions together...baskets, hunting eggs, etc, we always take time together to consider the miracle of Christ's Resurrection, we are so grateful for HIS life and sacrifice for us. I pray this Easter, with all the Newness of Spring, that it brings you joy and HIS new mercies that HE blesses us each new day!
Easter Weekend is here!
Together, let's rejoice in our Risen Savior!
I wanted to wish you all a blessed, Happy Easter. I am looking forward to being with family and observing together the greatest sacrifice that Jesus made so we could be saved! Of course, we will color and hide eggs, have a special dinner, and do Easter baskets... those family traditions are so sweet. Gathering and rejoicing on Resurrection Sunday for what Jesus did for us is a priceless blessing!
Nails were not what held Jesus to the cross. Jesus had the power to come down from that cross, but He knew it was what had to be done for His believers to be saved. He died on the cross for you and me because of His love for us; He loved us that much! As we observe this Easter Sunday, I am so thankful my Savior gave His life for me, so I can look forward to the promise of Heaven and living in eternity with Him.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16
If you haven't asked Jesus into your heart, please say and pass this prayer below. Salvation is the greatest gift of all: a relationship with Jesus Christ and eternal life.
Salvation Prayer
Jesus, thank You for my redemption and for being my Redeemer. Thank You for paying the price for me that is greater than anything I know or can imagine. Thank You for being my Lord, making me a part of Your family, calling me Your friend, and making it possible for me to place my life into the Father's care and keeping. What a privilege I have to honor and glorify You each day. You were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:20
Easter and the Dogwood Tree Story
Here is a favorite story that our family always reads at Easter. An unknown poet wrote the legend of the dogwood tree poem many years ago. The poem reflects the cross that Christ hung on was made of dogwood; however, this type of tree was not natural to the Holy Land. Regardless, the poem's point is one that no matter what the wood used for the cross, Christ suffered upon that cross.
An old and beautiful legend says that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other large trees of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength, it was selected as the timber for the cross.
But to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus, in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all, said to it:
'Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.
Henceforth it will be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross.
Two long and two short petals. There will be nail prints in the center of the outer edge of each petal.
Brown with rust and stained with red.
And in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember.' These words help ready my heart for Easter, and I hope they do the same for you.
The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Poet: Unknown
When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven, And for Christ's cross, its timbers were chosen.
Being distressed at the use of the wood, Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree," and so
Slender and twisted, it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown and a thorny crown in the blossom's center.
"All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished, this tree shall be
A reflection of all of My agony."
I have done several fashion posts from movies, but this one is a bit different for me. It was amazing to read the backstory that inspired the movie! The fashion worn by Amanda Schull is lovely, I especially love the Ted Baker dress she wears, but the bracelet she wears in the movie is far more than just an accessory. The bracelet's meaning and purpose remind us of what we should be grateful for. It is an elegant gift with meaning, a beautiful reminder to appreciate our blessings. Each comes with a tag written by the creator Dawn Sprong that reads:
I hope this movie inspires us all to remember to be grateful and thankful to God for every little thing... big & small. Also, what a beautiful time to premiere this movie on Easter Sunday, a day we were given the greatest gift of salvation by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. What a blessing God gives us as we celebrate the good news that HE has Risen!
Movie Synopsis: As the Easter holiday approaches, Amanda Schull(Dawn) rediscovers a blessing bracelet that helps restore her faith and renew her belief in love. She made the bracelet years earlier and stored it away. She created it using four beads with the intention of using each one as a reminder to count the blessings in her life. As Dawn begins to focus on the good, her faith is renewed, and her life takes a positive turn. Thanks to the support of Dawn’s church community and the encouragement of Ben (Carlo Marks), who recently came into her life, the blessing bracelets helped take her down a path she never could have imagined.
The movie, entitled “The Blessing Bracelet,” will premiere on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. It is presented by Dayspring. Hallmark created the movie in the true spirit of the bracelet. The Blessing Bracelet Movie is the latest in a long line of miracles that started the company.
Below you will find the bracelets and Amanda's fashion seen in the movie.
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~Blessings for the Day ✞o Encourage your Life~
Have A Blessed Day!
Nea
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