There was a religious leader who came at night to see Jesus. He came at night so no one would see him. All thought, this man understood and knew that Jesus was real and spoke the truth, he didn’t want other people to know that he understood. This is such an indictment against man-kind. Knowing and understanding and not choosing the right way because other people might see also. Several thousands of years ago, God wrote His laws and commandments in the heart of man. He did it so man would understand and have an easier time following God. God made it convenient for man to do the right thing. But man, has refused to follow. It is unfortunate because God has so much to give man. Most of man-kind will not make it into heaven, because of his own choices. It isn’t easy, but it is always simple. Did you know that even disasters will not bring people to Jesus? It has to be a choice that each person must make. This choice has to be made each day of your life. God said in His word, that salvation isn’t in making the decision. It is in living the life until the end of our lives. Just as the wind blows from here to there, so we understand God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Make the choice each day of your life. And you will see and receive the reward God has planned in our lives.

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Everything has a cost. It has value because it has a cost assigned to it. Every man-made object was built with planned obsolescence. It means that at some point in time, it will be thrown away. Even though, it cost a fortune in the beginning. Technology is a good example of this. We had one of the first calculators. It cost over $300. Today, it is less than $10. But there are things that cost more than life itself. People want what they want. They will try to acquire things that aren’t worth the price paid. Drugs are one of those things. It has cost many a person their lives. What is the cost-benefit ratio to that? What is real and beneficial many times isn’t sort after. Because it is perceived to be either too costly or having no value. What value would you assigned to someone that saved your life? I know many people that are trying to save people from themselves. These people got into trouble with wrong choices. And they became trapped. Some people’s lives have taken a wrong turn and they are stuck. This is the story of man-kind. It repeats itself throughout the centuries. God understood that man could never remove himself from his own problems. So, God made a way. First, He had to redeem man from the cost of his problems. God’s solution was the death of His son, Jesus. Then He resurrected Jesus from the grave and gave Him the authority to bring the rest of the family home. Understand, no man can pay the cost of redemption. But it has been paid by Jesus. Now is the time to turn and face God and yourself, because you can’t pay the cost.

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When something breaks out and captures people’s imagination, people follow. There are multitude of new things out there at any given time. And depending on how exciting it is will depend on how popular it is. I can remember when the Twist by Chubby Checker came out. It became so popular that it spread across the country, not only to the young people but to older folks also. Everybody was doing the Twist. Chubby Checker became a one hit wonder. And the Twist died out as fast as it came. There have been many fads that have come and gone since then. It is funny how these things captured people’s imagination. It seems that people aren’t satisfied with the latest trend. It seems that people aren’t content at all. They are always searching for something that will satisfy their soul. There is nothing on this earth that will satisfy your soul. It is a fool’s errand. I played the game for 30 years of my life. Then I found the real reason I was here. Then I found what really did satisfy my soul. What I really wanted was someone who would love me unconditionally. I wanted real joy in life. But most of all, I wanted peace in my life. I found the peace of God that passes all understanding and I followed after. God is calling you home. Follow after Him and He will give you all that you are really looking for.

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Yesterday, we opened our home to our family. We celebrated Easter when the people who are dear to us. It was the first time we really relaxed since we lost our home in the flood. Our new house became home. Easter is many things to different people. It is a celebration of Jesus freeing us from the burden of sin. But not everyone joins in the celebration. As part of God’s family, Jesus opened the gates of heaven to welcome us home. I had a lot of people in my home, but when heaven was opened to the family there was millions of people. Just think if you had to cook for that family. It seemed that everyone enjoyed themselves. I am glad they came to celebrate with us. I just wish all my family in the world would came and celebrate with our older Brother Jesus and our Father, God. There is peace in knowing that you belong to God’s family. Of course, we are loved unconditionally by our Father and older Brother. And God is preparing a meal for us at the end of time. It is called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. But unfortunately, not everyone will be there. It time to plan ahead and to be home for that celebration. It begins with you turning and facing God and yourself.

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Early on the day after Passover, Mary Magdalene, John and Peter found that the stone that covered Jesus’ tomb was rolled away. Mary sat down and cried that Jesus’ body was stolen. Peter didn’t believe either. John enter the tomb, saw the shroud and believed that He had risen. Mary saw what she thought was the caretaker of the garden and ask if He knew what happened to Jesus. Jesus said to Mary, why do you weep? Who are you searching for? Mary then saw it was Jesus. He told her to go tell the disciples that He would met them in Galilee. Some believed, some didn’t. But they all went to Galilee. The disciple whole world had been turned upside down. Everything changed. The religious leaders were looking for the rest of the disciples to arrest them. There were Roman guards at the tomb when Jesus rose from the dead. They ran away. God wanted to prove to man that He loved them and provided a way home. Jesus’ work didn’t finish at the cross, it moved from earth to heaven. There is a part in the Lord’s prayer that says, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. With Jesus in heaven, God has moved into the final stage of his plan, bring His will to earth. On the third day, God began to fulfill His plan for mankind. Jesus rose from the dead and became the Lord of Lords and King of kings. Thus fulfilling God’s word and promise to us.

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Everyone knows the story of Jonah and the whale. Jonah disobeyed God and tried to run away. He took a ship to another land. On the way, a storm arose and Jonah went overboard. There a whale swallowed him. He spent 3 days in the belly of the whale. When he repented of his sin, the whale vomited him up on a beach. Then Jonah did what God wanted him to do. Some religious leaders were questioning want Jesus said was true. They wanted a sign from God. Jesus said that the only sign that the children of Israel would get was the sign of Jonah. It was spending 3 days in the belly of the earth or hell. Jesus was crucified and buried on the day before Passover. Passover, being a high holy day and a Sabbath day, couldn’t have any activity other than church services. They didn’t even have time to properly bury Him. So, they wrapped Him in a cloth and put Jesus in the tomb. They were going to come back after the Passover to finish His burial. So, for 3 day, Jesus descended into hell and took captivity captive. He took the keys of death and hell away from the devil. While the nation of Israel celebrated their freedom from Egyptian bondage, Jesus was hard at work freeing us from death and hell. And so Jesus fulfilled His prophesy about the sign of Jonah in the belly of the whale.

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Today we celebrate the death of Jesus. Not that He died, but what He did for us in His death. It was a road that Jesus had to choose for Himself. God didn’t make Him go to the cross. Jesus knew all along that He would have this option put before Him. But He didn’t choose it until He came to grips with it in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus went to the cross with joy, knowing that He would fulfill God’s plan not only for His life, but the lives of every human being. When is the last time you did anything as spectacular? Jesus said greater things shall you do, because I go to my Father. So, if we are going to do greater things than Jesus, what are they? He said that greater love has no man, than to lay down his life for another. He also said, I am crucified with Christ daily, and that I will pick up my cross and follow Him. Jesus also said, that I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. It is a day to celebrate, not that Jesus died, but He set us free to serve God. And Jesus chose to walk down this path. What will you choose today? Will it lead to the saving of your household? Remember that there is no greater love than a man lay down his life for another.

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Time has a way of passing quickly. It goes by so fast, sometimes you don’t even notice it. It’s funny how as you grow older, it seems to pick up speed. It isn’t really true. It is just a perception, as we run out of time. Our lives are finite. We have just so much time and that is it. But using our life, or the time we have been given, correctly has always been the problem. Searching our lifetime for the right path for us has always occupied us. But the real trick is to understand why we are here and what our purpose is. We can fill our lives with whatever and miss altogether the purpose and plan for our lives. When I was younger, I was in a band. I wrote music and sang. My roommate and I wrote the music. One summer, he wanted to hear from God. He was seeking God with prayer constantly. He told me that he just didn’t hear God at all. But that summer, he wrote 25 songs. I told him that he missed the point. God was talking to him all along. It just wasn’t how he thought God was going to speak to him. Many times, people miss what God is doing in their lives, because it isn’t the same way they are use too. But it doesn’t mean that God isn’t at work on their behalf. So, if you feel that God isn’t there or working on your behalf, don’t give up. God said and I believe, that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always a prayer away. So, if you don’t know what is next in your life, just ask and you will receive an answer.

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Last August, we were flooded out of our home. As dramatic as that was, I had two animals with me at the time, my dog Marly, a golden retriever and Calli, a calico cat. Marly went to live with my son and his dog, Zuki. But Calli was handed down to anyone who could take care of her. I felt bad for her because it wasn’t with me at home. Calli has been a good cat and source of inspiration for me. The last place Calli lived was my other son’s house along with three other cats and two dogs. My son had a big black cat named Turbo, that would fight with Calli. She has a few battle scars to prove it. We moved into a new home about a month ago. About week ago, my son bought back Calli home. I was never so glad to see her. She began to investigate the house. She looked into every corner of the house. Finally, she settled on my bed and took a nap. She was at peace and home again. It was almost like nothing had ever happened. Her resiliency amazes me. It is very settling to me that she is home. But more than that, she is at peace. Like I said, she has been an inspiration to me. I love watching her go about her daily routine. She is persistent in everything she does. And she does everything with passion. It is as the bible says, let the peace of God lead you and guide you into everything. I am glad we are both home again.

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We rescued a calico kitten. But before she could live in our house, she had to be accepted by Olivia. Olivia is a small black Yorkie mix, who is the mistress of the house. Olivia looked at Calli and began cleaning her like her mother would. The kitten fell in line right behind Olivia. Where Olivia went the kitten would follow. Olivia adapted Calli like one of her puppies. Calli would sleep with Olivia. Calli also eats dog food. Olivia is afraid of lightning. She shakes violently. Calli would sit next to Olivia until she stopped shaking. Calli has grown into a passionate cat of God. She will do what God has called her to do with passion. She will always be in sight of me. If I move she will find me. She will sit beside me quietly. One day I watched Olivia and Calli play. It is the job of a mother to teach her children. Olivia was teaching Calli how to hunt like a cat. It was one of the most amazing things I ever saw. I know that God sent that kitten to our home. Calli has grown and she is a beautiful calico cat. The stuffed cat I am sending to Rebecca looks very similar to Calli. I hope she enjoys the gift as much as I have enjoyed Calli. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

May God bless and keep you in all your triumphs and trials.

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