Life With Jack: Easter '08 (yes, we're late)

We had a VERY non-traditional Easter this year. Jack could have still been contagious from his Rotavirus, so we decided to stay home from church (besides, the last thing we needed was him getting another illness from some kid). Lonnie and I were slackers and forgot to put together Jack's Easter basket before morning. So, he got it after his nap. No difference to him! We hadn't planned on doing anything special for dinner, but Lonnie ended up making pork tenderloin, green bean casserole, salad, and rolls. It was delicious! Even Jack tried the pork (but ended up spitting it out). :)

Since we didn't do all of the normal "Easter" activities, it was hard to focus on the true meaning of the holiday. We celebrate Jesus rising from the dead and giving us new life. I am having a hard time putting into words exactly what I want to say about Easter, so I am stealing someone else's. :) Beth Moore is a favorite author/leader/speaker of mine and here is what she had to say on her blog -

"...Christ is watchful and active and overflowing with unabashed, unbridled affection over every single one of [us]. As Present in one as any other. As purposeful in the life feeling the least purpose. The most exhaustion. He still raises the dead. Saves the lost. Heals the weak. Sets prisoners free. He never misses a tear. Never let’s us go. He was lifted up so we could be drawn to Him. Killed so we could live. Beaten so we could win. No matter what stone seems to have you entombed, He can roll it away. Nothing can stay in the grave when God has resurrection on His mind. And, Sweet Thing, God has resurrection on His mind right now.

He had it on His mind with every beat of that hammer on the nails penetrating Christ’s flesh. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” Death never gets the last word. Not even the death of relationship. Respect. Well-being. Health. God cannot – will not – leave well enough alone. His business is life and life at its liveliest. Loveliest. May He roll away every last thing that is stifling His effervescence in us. He never promised that life here would always be fun but He mighty well promised that life here could always be full. Every single ounce of power expended on the Cross is yours in Jesus’ Name. Ask Him what that means. How you draw from it. That’s what I’m doing today. Like you, I’ve had innumerable blessings and unforgettable moments of late. Like you, I’ve also had my own heartbreaks, disappointments, and worries. Felt weary to the bone. Frustrated to the core. I’ve cried, too. Thought I was fed-up with some things, too. Wondered if I’d ever change, too. Then comes Good Friday. The violence that says something’s about to be different. That causes our earths to quake. Then comes the Saturday wait that seems an eternity long. Then, finally, FINALLY comes Sunday morning…long before dawn. By that time the Father has waited long enough. And stones begin to roll.

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us ALL our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 3:13-15

Some of us are burdened and weary because we never have allowed ourselves to feel the full and free forgiveness of the Cross. What if today you believed it? What if today you believed Him? What if you finally let it go? What if today the deadness in us could no longer resist the sound of Christ calling us forth from the tomb? What if we decided to get up and really live? "

With all of that said, here are some pictures! :)

Easter in Minnesota (I think my exact words were "you have GOT to be kidding me!" or "this is RIDICULOUS.")