Peace on Earth!

This is a close-up of the mural in the church at Bethpage.
You can read the caption below for more information.
An interesting aspect of the mural to note is the disciple
shrouded in a cloak. The artist intended this to represent each of
us as we participate in the celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

In my devotional today I learned something new about Jesus' "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem four days before his crucifixion. As many of us have read year after year, Jesus asked his disciples to bring him a donkey for this trek. Here is what I learned. Ty explains that "many have said that the donkey is a lowly creature and Jesus' ride signified again his humility and his never grasping at an earthly title or position" and this would certainly be in keeping with what intuitively has made sense to me over the years and what I have heard others comment about regarding this section. However, Ty explains that "a study of the historical context reveals the donkey (ass, foal, or colt) is really a noble beast and a king might well have ridden on one before a crowd symbolizing, 'I come in peace'. Zechariah foretold of this ride in just such a way (9:9), 'Behold, your king is coming to you... riding on a donkey.' Jesus rode in peace, appealing for a rightful throne, yes; but not a throne of this world, rather to be enthroned in our hearts." The devotional then goes on to reflect on this notion of peace and what this means in our lives. From the earliest public announcement of Jesus' birth with angels proclaiming "Peace on Earth!" to the beginning of the final chapter, the message that Jesus brings us peace is emphasized. Jesus shares in John 14:26-27 that "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Peace for our souls, our spirits, our minds, our hearts....

As I seek that kind of peace in my life, where I am truly looking for it? Is it in my possessions, my work, my relationships with friends and family, or my various forms of entertainment? If so, I will always come up empty in the end, because these are all given "as the world gives." Instead, the most important question is if I am seeking true peace from the One who offers it. Am I giving Jesus "the throne of my heart" that He might usher in this peace? Oh, that it be so.

Bethpage is located on the Mount of Olives where Jesus requested the disciples to get him the donkey to ride into Jerusalem on what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday. The church here houses a stone that tradition says served as the spot from which Jesus mounted the colt.

Ash Wednesday

I almost lost track that today is Ash Wednesday and I am so glad that God gently reminded me because I would have been disappointed to have missed this divine appointment or shown up late for it. This is a very special Lenten Season to me! If you scroll back in my blog and check out entries made in late July and early August, you will find the "whole story" of why I felt God prompting me to have a Lenten Celebration at that time of the year. What I didn't know then was that I was pregnant. Ben and I found out on August 7th that this little one we now know as Carter had begun being "knit" together by God several weeks earlier. We went from 40 days of Lent to 40 weeks of pregnancy! To then go in for that first ultrasound and find out that the due date we and the doctor's office were working off of was being changed to....you guessed it, Easter Sunday??? What an awesome thing! So, here we are full circle of sorts at Lent. It is my intention on this pass to do a better job sticking to my Lenten commitment of daily reading in the devotional I started then--"40 Days of Lent: Scripture and Reflections on Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection"by Ty Saltzgiver. With all the excitement and distraction of learning we were pregnant, I wasn't exactly as focused as I had hoped to be on the last attempt. So, with joy and expectation I enter this time of preparation for the Easter celebration of Christ's passion for each us. And throughout this all, I remain and will continue to be amazed by God's design and the intimate ways in which He enters our lives when we allow.

And little Carter just gave a kick of exclamation!

Spring is around the corner

What an exciting spring this will be! Time has flown by with this pregnancy and I have enjoyed almost every moment. I am getting really excited to finally meet this little girl that is ever-present but still such a mystery. I was surprised last weekend to find the bulbs I planted in November beginning to poke through the mulch in the beds. Everybody is gearing up for Carter's arrival and Mom and Dad could not be more thrilled.

Even my Mom is getting ready for the grandbaby's arrival.
This picture was taken just before Christmas in the mountains.
She is working on a beautiful blanket for the baby. I
just love how the flexible knitting needles automatically formed
the shape of a heart. Very appropriate!