HAPPY ECLIPSE DAY!

 

Chris viewing partial eclipse 2017.  Photo by Bobbi.

It's almost here.  The total eclipse is on April 8, 2024.  We should be able to see it as it is supposed to be clear here.  I remember seeing one in Virginia when I was about in 4th grade. The sun was completely covered and it was very dark.  We were then able to take off our eclipse glasses and look at the sun. It was something like a winter afternoon in Fairbanks, Alaska! I remember my brother Jay had to take a flashlight to school so he could see his way home at 4 pm in Fairbanks. Here is a good article on the eclipse with all the information you need--  even to dealing with eclipse glasses. Here is the time and date for viewing in Spokane.

Chris shot a picture of the partial eclipse in 2017.  Have you ever seen an eclipse?

Proverbs 8:22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work,

    the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up,
    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
    or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30     then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.

RESURRECTION ROLLS RECIPE

Resurrection rolls are a great Easter recipe that you can make with the kids. Cinnamon-coated marshmallows are wrapped in dough, then baked. When you break them open, they are empty inside, representing Jesus's tomb on Easter morning.

Ingredients

• • 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
    
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
    
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
    
  • 8 large marshmallows
    
  • ¼ cup melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.

3. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.

4. Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap dough around marshmallow. Roll into ball. Pinch the seams together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Place roll on a baking sheet; repeat.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

GOOD FRIDAY

 

People often ask-- what is so good about "Good Friday?" Above is a you tube of the group CityAlight singing about that day.  We learn Good Friday is all about Jesus sacrificing Himself to pay for our sins.  Trevin Wax writes a meditation about it. Gives one something to think about.  

Isaiah 53:5- But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

BE READY

 

Palm Sunday this year is on March 24 -- what is it all about?  It's all about Jesus.   Palm branches were a symbol of triumph and victory in ancient Jewish culture.  Laying palms before Jesus as written about in all gospels, (Matthew 21:1-11;  Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; and John 12:1-19,) was a way for people to recognize Him as the Messiah they had been waiting for.  Many churches depict Palm Sunday by having palm branches included in the church service.  The rock musical "Godspel" produced on Broadway and made into a movie includes one song called "Prepare Ye the Way." A song by the John The Baptist in the musical proclaims that he was preparing the way for the Jewish Messiah.  John the Baptist then recognized that his cousin Jesus was the Messiah. 

The above videos show the song from Godspel and the songs sung in church this Palm Sunday. 

Jesus said that He would return soon.  He told us to be ready.  (John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.)

Luke 12:35 “Be ready and dressed. Have your lights burning. 36 Be like men who are waiting for their owner to come home from a wedding supper. When he comes and knocks on the door, they will open it for him at once. 37 Those servants are happy when their owner finds them watching when he comes. For sure, I tell you, he will be dressed and ready to care for them. He will have them seated at the table. 38 The owner might come late at night or early in the morning. Those servants are happy if their owner finds them watching whenever he comes. 39 But understand this, that if the owner of a house had known when the robber was coming, he would have been watching. He would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 You must be ready also. The Son of Man is coming at a time when you do not think He will come.”

 

OLD IS GOOD

Photo by Chris

When I was younger, if I walked into an antique or vintage store, I would feel immediately overwhelmed.  I see nothing but “old”stuff.  It has no value for me.  But then I read T. Davis Bunn’s trilogy of--  “Florians Gate,” “The Amber Room,” and “Winter Palace,” published in 1992 and 1993.  The plot involved antiques smuggled out of a communist nation into the free world and sold. Then the money was smuggled back to the people to buy food.  From then on I decided old was good. These old things could save lives. So we have a few old things that may buy food for somebody some day.  Chris photographed them.  We have the photos for sale on Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/  and IStock https://www.istockphoto.com/.

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Photo by Chris

Proverbs 27:

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
    give careful attention to your herds;
²⁴ for riches do not endure forever,
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.

NOW FOR SOME GOOD NEWS

 

Even if you are not a fan of women's college basketball this is a once in a generation talent.  Enjoy seeing this 6 minute video.

Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

CONTEXT

 

A fun video about taking Bible verses out of context.  Back to Bible study for me.  

II Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.