Rumours abound - Crucified King is Alive

The King Arises

Today I am filled with expectant hope, I know my King is the Son of God. He raised Lazarus from the dead - so death can't have any hold on him. 

There are cries and angry voices as I near the tomb. Soldiers are in disarray, searching for something.

The King is missing

The tombstone has been pushed aside. Using the confusion as a camouflage I slip behind the men and peep into the sepulchre. Squinting I see nothing, but the light from the open doorway reveals a white linen cloth on the floor that had been wrapped around my King's body. 

Soldier's mystified

My Saviour is gone. I take a deep breath - The soldiers have been guarding the tomb with Roman precision - there is no way anyone could sneak in and remove Jesus. 

I want to jump and shout, to tell the world that my King is alive. He has risen just as he said he would (Mark 9:31).

Jesus has Risen

Alleluia, Jesus has Risen, 

My sins forgiven,

Glory to God in the Highest,

His sacrifice, the conquest.

Death overpowered,

His love showered,

Upon me, a sinner,

God the Almighty winner.

We are the Easter People

Happy Easter my wonderful friends. 

Thank you for following me on my journey through Holy Week. 

May Jesus rise in your hearts today - we are the Easter People - the hope in a sinful world. 

Many blessings,

Margaret

https://www.facebook.com/MargaretKazmierczakAuthorBlogger/

www.margaretk.co.uk 

(Note: This is my expression of Holy Week, the order of events may have been a bit different.) 

King enters Jerusalem on a Donkey - Read all about it.

The King enters Jerusalem on a Donkey

Have you heard the news? 

The King has entered Jerusalem on a Donkey. I mean, what is going on - a King riding a donkey? 

People were shouting and waving palms, it was amazing. Talk about making an entrance with a contradiction. I thought Kings rode magnificent horses. But then this is no ordinary King. 

A King who breaks the rules

We shouted Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (John 12:13). It was crazy. People pushing palms aside to see, others laying them on the ground in front of the donkey. One man tried to touch the King but his loyal band of followers were tight around him. 

Boy, I love this man. He doesn't do things by halves. He is going to change things around here in a mighty way, I can feel it. If any King can save us it will be this humble man. 

A glimpse of love

How do I know? The King's gentle eyes captured mine as he passed. For a moment all of time stopped, the intense shouting dimmed and I felt gripped by His love. No army could conqueror a force so powerful and liberating. When his gaze released me I experienced a form of drunkenness, a hazy warmth washing over my entire body. Then I knew the truth - love would save us not swords or force.

The King's gentle eyes captured mine as he passed

The journey

This week is Holy Week a time to ponder on the events leading up to Christ's death and Resurrection. We too are on a journey not necessarily to the same grotesque end, but nonetheless to a place that requires sacrifice, forgiveness and love to walk there.  

Come and join me each day as I accompany Jesus on His journey.

God bless

Margaret

www.margaretk.co.uk

Celebrate Lit Christian book review blog stop 9

Celebrate Lit Christian book review blog stop 9

http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.co.uk/

How to make Victoria Sponge by Margaret Kazmierczak - review by Debbie Curto.

"It is fun to read about someone just like me."

Victoria Sponge is a fictional character but she is a picture of any Christian wife and mother. Each day our Heavenly Father has a personal message to Victoria. I must also say that I especially relate to her because she is just like me in that she falls and bumps her head repeatedly, it is fun to read about someone just like me.

The chapters are the days of the week and start out with a morning prayer and there is an afternoon prayer and an evening prayer. Then it tells about the troubles of the day and we read Victoria's prayers to God and learn how she turns everything to thankfulness to Our Saviour and asks Him to help her to always remember the lessons that day's struggles has taught her. I like that each day also includes Our Heavenly Father's responses to Victoria's thoughts and prayers.

Victoria Sponge uses everyday occurrences, such as trying to catch a field mouse to point out Our Heavenly Father's love and that He doesn't chase us but waits for us to come to Him. This book has really touched my heart and soul, I will be reading this book again and again as it is life changing fiction.

I am including part of one of Victoria's prayers in the review as it is mine also even if I have never actually prayed it. "Oh. Lord. Please help me to be happy with who I am and with the gifts and challenges that You have given me." But after reading this book I will make this prayer part of my daily prayers.

Just to show once again why I think this book is fantastic, here is a prayer that Victoria prays after her daughter dyes her hair pink. "Oh Lord, we all make mistakes; although I am not sure I have made a pink one! Help me to sort this one out or if this is not possible, then a friend who has knowledge of dealing with dyeing mistakes might be helpful." I love that Victoria talks to our Lord as a friend and not someone who is out of reach.

Victoria Sponge is so honest in this book even about finding a pair of clean underwear and a lost television remote.

There is one scene in this book that isn't an easy subject to deal with but Victoria relates it to the  suffering that Jesus suffered on the cross. This book really helps the reader understand that Jesus suffered all the same things that His people struggle with.

There is another story at the end of Victoria's story and it is called "A Jewel In the Sponge". I love how the colors of the rainbow is described to Victoria's son Johnny.

I am going to buy this book in print and give them out, yes the book is that good!

I received a complementary copy and the opinions expressed are my own.

I give "How To Make Victoria Sponge" by Margaret Kazmierczak five stars.

Giveaway:

To celebrate her tour, Margaret is giving away a themed gift bag containing an apron, whisk, Bible, and a limited 1st edition paperback copy of How to Make Victoria Sponge! Click here to enter:https://promosimple.com/ps/a416

Link to purchase book: http://amzn.to/2dbi1aW

How we experience Gethsemane

Gethsemane an experience to share with Jesus. 

Have you encountered Gethsemane?

Give me eyes that can see

“Oh Lord, give me eyes that can see and ears that can hear. Give me a love that is patient and kind.”

So prays Victoria Sponge in the book, How to make Victoria Sponge. She is responding to her son’s inability to find his school uniform and P.E. kit from under his duvet. Isn’t it funny how sometimes we call for help before we have even bothered to look? Or if you are like me when constructing something you don’t first read the instructions. Oh how often have I got into difficulty because I of this flaw?

How more important it is with our life then, to pick up the instruction book and read the specifications so clearly written out for us?

Yes it is easy for Victoria’s son to ‘ask’ someone else to find something for him without raising himself from the comforts of his bed, but that is not God’s way. He wants and expects us to raise ourselves to the summons of His Book. We can live our lives under the duvet and not bother to seek or, accept the challenge of looking for ourselves.

Jesus says:

Matthew 13:16 (NLT) “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

Let us pray that we will do this today.

Advent Day Twenty-three

My heart awaits for your coming. Never have I needed you more in my life. Saturate me with your presence. Fill me with your love. Wrap me in your arms and present me to those that need to know your embrace. 

Come, Lord Jesus come.

Advent Day Twenty-two

God showed that he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world. What do we do to show God that we love him? 

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Twenty-one

We are loved so much, not because we deserve it, but because God adores his children unconditionally.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Twenty

Father Christmas can do nothing for you.He isn't even real but an idol that is worshiped every year at this time. The only Father that can bring you a life changing present is God.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Nineteen

Are we missing the point of Christmas among the present hunting? Have we forgotten to hunt for Jesus during this time? He is the one and only present we should desire with all of our heart.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Eighteen

Each day is a new start, with a choice to say 'yes' to God and His will. Do we begin again afresh each day, or do we carry on the old ways, ignoring the opportunity to move forward where God wants us to benefit from his mercy?

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Seventeen

While you are wrapping presents up for your family and friends, allow God to unwrap your heart with His love, grace and mercy.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Sixteen

There are no coincidences only the Father placing the missing piece of jigsaw in the puzzle. God knows what we need and will provide.

Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

Advent Day Fifteen

I saw Jesus today.

I saw Jesus on the train today. He had worked a long shift, his coveralls a patchwork of sweat and grime; yet he joked with a coworker in the adjacent seat. I saw Jesus awhile later, as the crowd filed onto the stairs to the street below—he was a young girl with two small children in tow, her nerves clearly frayed. And then, in the grocery store, there was Jesus again, a check-out clerk who smiled and wished me a good evening. The next time I saw him, he was stuck in traffic, his business suit rumpled and his eyes weary. And when I walked by my neighbor's house, Jesus sat on the front step, passing the time with a friend.

When Jesus came to share our human existence, he changed what it means to be ordinary people going through the day. Each one of us has a purpose and a place in the world. Each of us experiences pain, fatigue, humor, and hope. If we look more intently at the people we encounter on a typical day, we will see who they truly are—persons loved by God. Regardless of appearance or situation, the woman, man, or child before you is brimming with holy possibility. Consider that you are gazing into the eyes of God. Understand that Jesus comes to you in many faces and places.

This article is written by Vinita Hampton Wright, author of Days of Deepening Friendship

Advent Day Fourteen

Love came as a small baby. He grew in love and died because of love. Are we prepared to do the same?

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Thirteen

The greatest act of forgiveness looked down on us from the cross. From His elevated position Jesus embraced our sins. Forgiveness heals, frees, elevates and enriches our life. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Twelve

This is beautiful. A modern day film with the message of hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=tIYCHE-4W1E&app=desktop

The Christmas story today. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

Advent Day Eleven

Give God your hand so that he can lead you to his promises.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Nine

If you long for something, may it be for Christ to be in your life to fill you with His love and blessings.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Advent Day Eight

Everything is important to God, yes even those things we think he wouldn't be interested in. He is our Father, everything matters. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come.