Easter Sunday.

Jesus conquered death and was risen on this day. Easter is more than the Easter bunny. It is more than pastel-colored, plastic eggs filled with candy and money (in my house). More than Peeps (I love those hah). Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus after he was nailed on the cross and shed his blood for our sins. Because of this, I am forgiven. Because of his suffering, I have confidence that I will dwell with my Father in heaven when my life on earth is up. He shed his blood for us because HE LOVES US.

I live a life unworthy of God's love. I'm so undeserving because of all I've done in my life. But regardless, Jesus wiped that all away when he died for me (and all of you) and now I am forgiven.

1 cross + 3 nails = 4given!
HE IS RISEN!

Ant

Circumstances.

"Don't interpret God in light of your circumstances. Interpret your circumstances in light of God."
-Mike Kelsey ("How To See In The Dark" Frontline sermon - 3/7/10)

Philippians 1:21.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
[Philippians 1:21]

I think Philippians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. :)

The Redeemer - Sanctus Real.

And I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh I've lost my faith in so many things,
But I still believe in You
Cause You are the Answer, the Redeemer
Oh I've given up on too many things,
But I'm not giving up on You
Cause You can make anything new.
....
I don't have every answer in life
But I'm trusting You
One day at a time
Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive forever
This is where heaven and earth collide
I lift my hands and give my life
This is how my weary heart stays alive

:)

I'm streaming Sanctus Real's new CD online and it's so far so good. I'm relating to many of the songs very much, especially this one.

I think the song is titled "The Redeemer"

Stream the CD here: http://tinyurl.com/5v43fj

where the light meets the dark.

"I heard it said once that the best thing that could ever happen to any of us is if all of our sins were broadcast on the five o’clock news. And yeah, that can be a fairly disturbing thought, I suppose, but think about it for a moment. Think of how scary that is, and yet somehow, so incredibly freeing, too. If everyone knew all your junk, all your fears, all your questions, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. No more masks. No more pretending. Just you, and hopefully, the grace that comes when we step into the light. Sure, it can be the most terrifying step you’ll ever have to take, but when we do, when we lay our souls out naked and bare for all to see, it forces us out of the shadows and into a place where life begins. It’s where the light meets the dark, and it’s where we want to be. Hope to meet you there." - Mike Donehey (from Tenth Avenue North)

http://tenthavenuenorth.com/volumes/post/1053
----
That's why accountability partners are so helpful. Even it's not to the same degree as your faults and sins being broadcasted on the news, it's still sucks to tell someone what and why you did it. It is freeing.

I want to be there too. Where the light meets the dark.

I'm sensing a new name change on the blog :)

Loving the new Tenth Avenue North song too! (it's on the link up top)

-Ant

Psalm 37:4.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
[Psalm 37:4]

From the ESV Study Bible:
Ps 37:4 - the desires of your heart. Some take “the desires” as referring to the feeling of desire, i.e., “God will shape your heart so that it desires the right things”; but the sense is rather, “he will give you what your heart desires.” It is safe to say this to those who embrace the advice of this psalm, because as they delight themselves in the Lord, their hearts will desire the right things.

The Lord will give you what your heart desires, but He will also shape your heart to desire the right things. You must first seek the kingdom of God, and all these will be given to you as well [Matthew 6:33].

But you also have to keep in mind...

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
[James 4:3]

God doesn't give you certain things because you're asking for all of the wrong reasons. Like I said before, as you seek Him, He will change your heart according to what He wants for you even when it's different from what you want for yourself. God is our loving Father. He wants what is best for us.

Just take a couple of minutes and examine the things you ask of God and why it is that you want them.

Ant

Psalm 27:14.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
[Psalm 27:14]