Glory of Easter

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."
- I Corinthians 15:3-4

What is the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Easter? Coloring eggs, Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, dressing up for church, and family gatherings are the popular choices. I remember growing up with the same ideas and images about Easter. It wasn't until after becoming an adult and giving my heart and life to Jesus did I get the real story and the ultimate meaning of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

So, as much of the world commercializes this special day or completely ignores the significance of what Christ accomplished, I wanted to take a moment for us to be reminded of the true symbols of the Easter Story. Join me for a moment or two as we see the difference between the world's view of these symbols and the awesome, eternal power they have in our lives through Jesus Christ.

1) THE CROSS- In the world that Jesus entered into over 2,000 years ago - a Roman-dominated world - the cross was a sign of punishment, shame, and guilt. There was nothing beautiful about the symbol that many wear today as jewelry or that fills almost every church around the world. The cross was the form of execution of criminals and was a gruesome form of death meant to be a deterrent to other possible rebels and a public humiliation of the criminal. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, as it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" Yet, the very cross that Jesus bore and died upon was the place that the punishment and guilt were erased and our sins were forgiven. He hung not as a criminal, but as the Christ. He died not as a scoundrel, but as a Sacrifice and the Savior of the world. "For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God."- I Corinthians 1:18

2) The BLOOD- I don't think anybody likes blood. Some people become faint, some scream, some close their eyes at the first sight of it. Blood stains, and it can be gruesome. Jesus' blood was spilled and shed as He was beaten mercilessly, addressed mockingly, and nailed violently to the Cross. Blood truly represents loss. In fact, if you feel like you can handle the detailed report, check out the following site to get a more accurate grasp of what Christ suffered- http://lifemywalkwithgod.blogspot.com/2008/03/medical-account-of-crucifixion.html. It was painfully excruciating and was downright ugly. Blood is a symbol of loss, but it is also a symbol of life as our bodies must have it to survive. It was His blood that opened the door for the forgiveness of sins and the flow of life to course through ours. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed."- I Peter 2:24

3) The STONE- There is no greater dead end than death. Make no mistake: Jesus knew He would die, and it is the very reason He came to the world. Jesus said with confidence inJohn 12:27-28, "Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your Name!" Death is difficult to digest and something that each of us will inevitably be confronted with (at least at a physical dimension). Death is sorrowful, as we see the lives that are impacted by the death of a loved one. There is also a finality to death that leaves people with too many questions, open wounds, and unfulfilled desires. But because of what Jesus did on that very first Easter, death does not have final say nor is it the final place for us. Jesus brought a victory over death and is alive forevermore, and because of that we too can live. "But Christ indeed has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."- I Corinthians 15:20

So this Easter week take time to reflect on and rejoice in the price Christ paid, the work Christ completed, as He bore what the world views negatively, but what we have come to discover as both necessary and beautiful!

Age rewind, I wish! The picture of me in the 80's.

Sarah and grapes

Nature and human blending beautifully.

Today,tomorrow and always

My love for my mom, and my love for my daughter ...are timeless, endless, and forever more to come.

While I was helping my daughter to prepare SAT , and college planning task, such was an exciting, yet distress period . This means that she is going to leave home to attending college sooner than I expected. So this year and and half ahead, my mission is to be her mentor, to influence her with my cord value, and my believe. (not that I haven't done that, it is just to emphasis my moral believe). Although raising a child, it should be provide the best to her/his welfare, and not about me. However,my concern is that if I do not inspire her with my thinking, my culture, ethic, and fundamental believe, during the time when my child needs my nurture, my love, my way of making decision, determination, that whatever answer she was longing for, and did I neglected to set a profound example ? If I had set a good blueprint for her future? . In the study knowing that Parent have a major influence directly to our kid's future.

The truth is that have I done enough of biding a loving, guiding, understanding, and accepting attitudes, and behaviors toward her?

As much as I would like her to have a spiritual, rewarding , meaningful and prosperous life. To live in a healthy, happy, responsibility and functional balance life. Despite how much I would like to protect her , to care for her; after all she is her own individual that master her own destiny, with God's grace.

Today, we are bombard with media, TV, reality show, radio, Internet, pop culture songs, these are feeding us to experiencing an epidemic of toxic emotions. It is far too easy to pop a pill or smoke marijuana or shooting Heroin than work on the emotions that shoot thought us in the battlefield of the mind. What about peer pressure, peer life, many voices that we have allowed to control us, to limit us. Have I as a parent helping her to shaped her destiny, or just have her circumstances shaping her?

My dilemma is should I spend more quality time in her study? her choice of career picking? her school location? her world including the friends she hangs out with, her activities, her thoughts by siting down slowly and be a good listener. Unplug my goals and dreams and totally focus on her.To do that, It sound so needy, and no life.

For one thing, it is easier to be my child's friend, no limitation, no boundaries, total cave in. May be that will have a good parting.

Another thought is do more together , spend more time to do something with her that she would like, be more creative? fun, inspiring , time for the heartfelt bond moment. It is the importance time, I need to care, to build , to allow my love to flow to her freely, in a completely unselfish, and absolute giving my very best, before I would send her away from home.