Happy Good Friday to my Christian Sisters and Brothers in Christ!

I pray your Holy Week has been a special one for you and your family. Today is the momentus day we celebrate as "Good" Friday, even though it came with a huge price. Today is the day we observe from history, that Christ was crucified. Yesterday at the table Adri asked, "Well, why was it "good" if it's the day that Jesus died?" A very good question. I was humbled to hear my kids go on to share with her the Good News...."He was crucified and died that day on the cross to pay for all of our sins, but he rose from the dead three days later......death couldn't keep him down.....and that's why we celebrate Easter".   I thank the Lord that the story wasn't over then, and it's not over yet.

Many years ago, my sister-in-law gave us a great book that we return to every Easter season. It's written by Max Lucado, and it's entitled Christ in Easter: A Family Celebration of Holy Week. He writes in the introduction "The Easter announcement is clear. Victory is secure. Wails of Bethlehem will turn into the victories of Calvary. Don't forget that. The next time the soldiers of Satan Steal the joy from your arms. The next time your prayers float into a silent sky. The next time you wonder how God could sit still while the innocent suffer. Remember, the story's not over yet. Remember the Easter Jesus rescued the imprisoned and remember.....He is coming to do it again."   Amen!!

Now is a perfect time to remember, embrace, and praise God for how far He's come to save us from sin. Maybe for you, it's a time to recommit your heart to serving Him, and honoring Him with your life each day. Don't let this opportunity pass without using some hands-on activities to "bring it home" for your kids too.

One book that we have cherished for many years is Benjamin's Box. These days my kids love to read it on their own. The message is timeless. Last Saturday we participated in a Walk Through Jerusalem at our church. Our booth was sampling the Seder Meal. We learned how the elements of the Passover Meal represented the Israelites bondage to the Egyptians and the deliverance that God made possible for them. Today, we can celebrate that Jesus is our Bread of Life and our way to be delivered from the bondage of sin. Tomorrow we will make Resurrection Cookies. How fun!

We pray that this Easter Season finds you blessed with special time with your family, friends, and  church.

God Bless You!

Deborah