Jesus is the Resurrection

We have a monthly Women's Breakfast at church, and this year we are discussing the Names of Jesus.   The current name is "Jesus is the Resurrection," which is appropriate with Easter this weekend. Each month we will cover three basic questions:

• What does this Name teach me about Jesus?
• How does that impact me?
• How does that impact my world?

Would you join us on this journey?

I’ve heard it said before that the most important thing about you is what you believe about God, so I wanted to take some time to explore the character and nature of Jesus and how that impacts us in our everyday lives. I feel like sometimes, on one hand, you have this Jesus and this Bible, and on the other hand you have real life and real problems and real pain, and there can be a disconnect between the two.

How do you apply this Jesus to real life, to my life and those around me? What about His character and nature, His story, will help me get through this problem? Can I really find my hope in Him, and is Jesus alone really enough?

These are some of the questions I’d like to address with the topic set before us this year. I keep coming back to these verses in Romans 12:

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

What does this Name teach me about Jesus?

Jesus is the Resurrection. This Name in particular is among my personal favorites, but it’s also at the crux of the Christian faith we hold dear. Just a fun little fact for you: while the word crux means a vital, basic, decisive, or pivotal point, it also means a cross. That’s no coincidence.

When you think about it, the Resurrection is THE MOST important thing that Jesus did, because it proved that He was GOD. He promised to raise from the dead after three days, and He did! And that changes everything. The resurrection makes him more then just a prophet, more then just a good man or wise teacher, more then just a lunatic. It makes Him fully human, because He died, but also fully God, because He rose again. Just like he said.

This sets Christianity apart from all the other religions of the world, because our God did something that none of them have been able to—He resurrected. He did the impossible. We serve a God who, instead of giving us a plethora of rules to obey and practices to comply with until our dying day in order to prove our worth, chose to leave His perfect place in heaven, live among us, and die for us, while we were still sinners.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

While we were nothing. Nobody. He did all the work for us, because of His great love.

In John 11:25-26 Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?

How does that impact me?

Jesus offers us life. True life. Life that transcends the material and physical and temporal that will one day melt away. In the resurrection, He gives us a hope and a future. A promise that one day, all things will be made new. Because Jesus is in the business of the impossible—bringing dead things back to life.

What in your life today needs raised from the dead?

Dead dreams?

Dead marriages?

Dead financial situations?

Dead family relationships?

Dead sense of purpose?

Dead self-worth?

He has the power to breathe new life into any an every situation if we earnestly seek Him. And that’s the other side of this coin, the side that’s much harder to swallow. The side of the coin that feels sharp against the skin. Sharp like a nail pressing into the palm of a hand, or the delicate skin on the top of a foot. Sharp like a massive wooden cross digging into the flesh of an exposed shoulder.

We as Christians get so excited about the Resurrection, and rightly so. But what we often forget is that before a resurrection, there must be death. Surrender. A death to self.

With the Easter season comes Lent, and if I’m totally honest, I didn’t really understand the true meaning of Lent until I was in college. I grew up Catholic, so everyone participated, or at least said they did, and even the school cafeteria served cheese pizza and fish sandwiches on Friday. But I didn’t get the point. To me, it just seemed like another item to add to the “works resume” we were supposed to be compiling to hand in on judgement day, where we would apply for a position in heaven based on merit.

But in college the meaning was finally explained to me in a way that I understood—Lent was a fasting in some form. A giving up of something we love, something we have grown to depend on, or maybe even something we idolize—and replacing it instead with Jesus for 40 days. So that when we have a craving for the item, when we are desiring it or feeling the pain that it’s absence has created in our lives, we would reach for Jesus instead. We would depend on and desire Him instead. We would seek Him to fill the void.

So my personality being as it is, I didn’t just give up one thing, I gave up three things that were very near and dear to my heart: Dr. Pepper, Ranch dressing, and fast food. I survived on Dr. Pepper, dipped almost everything in Ranch dressing, and made many a midnight run to the local Wendy’s, which was pretty much the only thing that was open after midnight in the small town. Food seemed like the right choice, as it’s a vital component of the social environment that is college. Hanging out revolved around food and the “Freshman 15” was a real phenomenon that was only exasperated by the all-you-can-eat-buffets that comprised every single meal in the cafeteria.

And let me tell you, the first couple days were HARD. After I survived the first week, the emotional ache eased up a bit, but just a little. As the days crept by, slowly it did become easier. My eating habits changed to accommodate the loss, and I was much more aware of my dependence on the Lord. Every time I thought about one of those food items, my thoughts immediately turned to the Lord. To thanking Him, praising Him, asking Him to fill me with the Bread of Life.

Come day 40 and the close of Lent, my friends and I made the drive down the road to Wendy’s and brought back some Dr. Pepper, a greasy cheeseburger and fries with Ranch dipping sauce. I was so excited to bite into that hot, juicy burger, savoring the taste in my mouth, and take a long swig of that sweet, carbonated drink. It was good, but afterwards, when every last morsel was gone, I was left curled in the fetal position on the floor. I had never felt so sick in my life.

And you know, friends, sometimes it’s only when we take a step back from the things we think we love, the things we depend on to make us feel good, the things we think we can’t live without, that we realize at the end of the day, all they really do is make us sick.

The Resurrection is about taking that step. It’s about picking up that heavy cross and carrying it, one step at a time. Even though it hurts. Even though it’s tearing into the flesh on your shoulder. Even though you know that at the end of the treacherous journey, you will have to nail your desires, your dreams, your relationships, or whatever it is, to the cross and let them die there. Because it’s only after they die that they can be restored and redeemed. That you will finally be able to taste life that is truly life and say that it. is. good. God is good.

How does that impact my world?

To sum it up in one word: HOPE. 

We serve a God with whom all things are possible--death could not hold him down! He is Risen! There is hope for a dying world and a lost people, and we get to be a part of the epic love story that God has written for this place. We are equipped with a unique story, unique gifts, and unique connections for such a time as this.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... 1 Peter 3:15

If you look up Lent in the dictionary, you will find that, besides the Christian season of preparation for Easter, Lent is also the past tense of lend. To lend is to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned. And I think that especially during this season, this sentiment can serve as an excellent reminder for us as Christians.

Galatians 2:20 says, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Let the full weight of that verse soak in for a moment.

Another much like it is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which says, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Essentially, the Lord has Lent us these bodies, these lives. He has done so with purpose, and for His glory. The question is, are you laying down your life and following Him? Because one day, we will all stand before Him, and we will need to give an account for what we have done with the life that He lent us. The time He lent us. The money He lent us. The body, the gifts, the resources He lent us. 

What will you tell Him?

As we can see from His example on the cross, Christ didn’t lay down His life for Himself. No. He laid down His life for all mankind. And while only He can save humanity in it’s entirety, we too are called to lay down our lives for others, not for ourselves.

So this impact on the world around you, this death to self and subsequent resurrection, starts with as little as one. One person, one interaction, one day at a time. A no to yourself, your desires, your pride, and a yes to someone else instead. 

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30


Friends, what could you lay down today so others may live? 

I encourage you to examine your lives this weekend and think about what you can give. What comforts and securities you can let go of in order to bless others. If you're looking for a place to start, here are some ideas:

The "Plus One" Concept

How $5/week Can Save Two Lives


Have a blessed Easter!

Fake Spring. It's a Whole Thing in Cleveland.

Ahhh, Fake Spring. It comes every year.

And every year, even if you’ve lived in Cleveland your entire life, it’s easy to fall for its schemes. Again. Because Fake Spring can sense your longing for sunshine that actually feels warm on your skin, not the “fauxshine” that winter brings with only the illusion of heat, and it exploits that desire. You want to believe that spring is finally here, after what seems like an endless and bitterly cold winter. The winter of a week and a half's worth of snow days in a row.

So Fake Spring comes strolling in like a Trojan Horse in all it’s glory and splendor, and it gets your hopes up. Because it’s so beautiful and light, and your cold, tired soul is in need of some hope, a breath of new life. It spikes the temperature so high and so fast that lakes rise and rivers overflow and sewers can’t keep up with all the water. It creates a weather paradox in which snowball fights can occur with the few remaining snow piles, although the thermostat reads close to 70 degrees. Flinging some white while wearing capris.

And it entices you, making promises it won’t keep. Fake Spring tricks you into putting the winter gloves away, placing the boots back in storage. Hanging up the winter coats and pulling out the lighter ones from last year, if they still fit, that is. If not, who needs a coat anyways? It’s spring!

And so you get comfortable. The warm sun greets you each morning as you run out the door to school, the kids look forward to outdoor recess, and the dog can’t seem to do his business without tracking half the flower bed back inside with him. And after you’ve gotten used to this so-called “spring,” it happens.

One night, in the wee hours of the morning, Winter comes creeping out of the side of that Horse, leaving frost on the ground in it’s wake. By the time the alarm jots you from your slumber, the temperature has plummeted below freezing and the ground is a dusty white. The weather changes back just as suddenly as it did before, and you don’t even realize you’ve been snowed until the evidence is there all over the ground. You know, the white fluffy stuff that you thought had been left behind. And it just keeps coming.

Winter in Spring’s clothing. How could we have fallen for it, again? It happens every year, and yet, somehow we always think, maybe not this time…

But we are officially onto you now, Fake Spring, and you will not fool us next year. We will enjoy you, yes, even relish you, but we will not be deceived.

Solidarity, Clevelanders. We will overcome.

March 17: St. Patrick's Day, Then & Now

I make those brilliant green eggs with spinach. Clayton hates spinach, but he loooooves my green eggs. On the outside, I smile kindly and say, "Well, good, honey! I'm so glad!! Eat as many as you would like! On the inside reverberates an evil laugh… muahahahahah…. #i'llnevertell #motheroftheyear 

Heeeellllllooooo everyone! Long time no see, or post, as the case may be. I have missed being here, but time has been filled by other things and has prevented such an occasion. It's been a long time since I've done a Then & Now post, so I figured I'd start fresh with St. Patrick's Day and go from there.

In the meantime, you may wondering WHAT THE HECK I'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST MONTH???? Well, here are a few things:

1. Trying to stay away from social media, especially Facebook. This has been so good on so many levels. I'm less anxious, waste far less time, and am present more. Clearly, I'm into the internet scene with blogging and all, and I usually enjoy my time spent there, but I've realized it's hard for me to draw the line on where to stop. When to shut it off.

Any addiction, much like a weed, creeps in slowly and over time. At first, it seems harmless. After all, it's just one measly little weed. But then, as the days pass and morning turns into night an then back to morning again, the roots grow deeper. Stronger. Thicker. And slowly, they begin to absorb the clean, fresh, life-giving water that was meant for you. For your roots. As the two become intertwined even further, they begin to steal your nutrients, and the source of your very life. The weed is now tall, broad, looming overhead, even unrecognizable from it's original form, as it towers over the withering frame of what was once you. Because any plant without Light, without the Son, will surely die.

I have found that some things, at least as far as I'm concerned, are best left untouched. At least for a time, as I get overshadowed quickly.

2. Not writing as much as I would like, but writing some and not publishing it. Hopefully that will happen soon!

3. Attempting to prepare for the Women's Retreat at our church in mid-April, along with several birthdays, Easter, and continue to raise small children, maintain a cleanliness at home that's a notch above slovenly, and help with homework and spelling words without losing it. Basically, I'm going insane here, people.

4. Exercising!! I haven't been able to say that since college, about a decade ago. I have wanted to, meant to, intended to, and thought it would be a good idea to many times over the years but didn't ever actually do it. That's the thing about desiring change--you can't just wish it or hope it or speak it into existence, as if you were God or something. You actually have to, you know, do it. Some of us are slow learners.

I've been following Blogilates on YouTube and doing her daily workout routines, and it's been hard (really, that's a misleading understatement. Most days I want to punch her in the face. Truly, and without a hint of remorse.), but good, the good mostly being afterwards. But I'm finally telling my body who's boss around here, so that's a start. And I admit that I feel stronger these days, too. Check her out and let me know what you think! We can suffer together…


But about St. Patrick's Day… Above is the Now, and here's the past couple years:

2014

2013

They've all gotten so big!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you back soon! I hope to see me back soon, for that matter. :)

Real Life Still Life, Vol. 5

Come three o'clock this afternoon, I noticed this on the floor in the kitchen. Eva was sitting at the table, and upon picking it up, I asked, "who left this pull-up here on the floor?" 

Pushing the blond hair back from her eyes and looking up at me with a sweet little smile she replied, "me." 

The two phrases I say the most as a mother have to be: 

1.) Keep your hands to yourself.

2.) The floor is not a garbage can.

Sometimes I feel like I have a verbal glitch that gets stuck on problematic behaviors, causing the same phrases to tumble out time and time again. There's probably also a good dash of "I love you" and "tell them sorry" in my repertoire, along with a peppering of "don't fart on your brother," too, just for good measure. 

What do you find yourself repeating ad nauseum?

Foto Friday: February 6-12

February 6

I have a traumatic dental history, which includes getting my front tooth knocked out and glued back on a couple times before a disaster of a crown experience, and it's still not the same to this day. I wore a retainer and/or braces, complete with colored rubber bands on the brackets and big, ugly jaw-correcting rubber bands, for most of my elementary and middle school careers. I never actually wore the jaw-correcting bands, however, because: A. They were painful, and B. They looked awkward, and I didn't need any more help in that area. And yet, every month when I went back to the dentist, he would say that I was "making great progress."

Sucker. I thought I was so clever.

I still remember the elation I felt when it was finally time to have them removed in eighth grade. My straight{er} teeth felt so clean and smooth I remember thinking they were slimy. The dorky, metal smile was gone, and I didn't even care that half a decade in braces had left my teeth slightly stained. But then I began to have issues with TMJ, a jaw condition, followed by years of cavities between teeth due to a lax flossing routine and a love of Dr. Pepper.

Bad combo.

So this may put things into perspective when I say that we had a wonderful experience at the Hudec Dental in my neighborhood. I scheduled myself and three kids for cleanings, thinking we'd knock it out in an afternoon and be done with it. We were there literally ALL AFTERNOON, and they were beyond friendly and gracious. My children were surprisingly well-behaved and allowed to roam about and visit each other in different rooms.

The assistant took Eva to pick out a prize when she was crying and beside herself as I was getting an x-ray. They all ended up with crayons, coloring books, parachute guys, modeling clay and chalk. Each of them also received goodie bags complete with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss. Everyone was incredibly kind, and they even went above and beyond and painted the girl's nails after the cleanings because they had been so brave.

Knelt down and painted their nails. At the dentist.

I don't think I need to say anything more.

February 7

February 8

Some days are just rainbows and sunshine.

February 9

February 10

February 11

February 12

The kids got Valentine treats today at school, and a little boy bought Ruby a candy bar and a flower. She said he got them for her because he likes her, and everyone in class was laughing, although she recounted the story with only a mildly-embarrassed smirk. She promptly told the boy that she did not like him, and she gave his flower away. Poor guy. But she kept the chocolate. 

An Ode to Snow Days {and a Recipe for Snowflake Cake!}

We've had a handful of snow days so far this winter, and I look forward to each and every one.

As long as there aren't too many back-to-back, that is. A girl has her limits, you know, and it would only be a matter of time before my sanity boards a flight to warmer climates. I wish I could go with it, but alas, I'm stuck here in a polar vortex with four crazy lovely children.

But snow days do bring with them a sort of magic. It blows in across the threshold in the wee hours of the morning, along with the frigid air desperately seeking refuge from the winter wonderland outside as daddy trudges out the door on his way to work. A gratitude and relief takes up residence inside our cozy walls as we anticipate a day of nothing and everything all at the same time.

Snow, as unwelcome as it can be after Christmas, makes room. Shifts priorities. It moves responsibility to the side and sets childlike freedom in it's place. It takes away routine and instead brings fun and excitement. It pushes work to the bottom of the list and chooses to showcase rest and quality time together first.

I know that every day can't be a snow day, but I do look forward to them with as much anticipation as my children. And I'll continue to cherish any that blow our way. So without further ado...

Ode to Snow Days

By Jacqui Roberts

Oh, eagerly envisaged days of no school…

Temperatures plummet, flurries swirl in globe-like

The freezing cold holds promise of lingering leisure.

Anticipated by student, sage and parents alike

We wish and hope and pray for an ensuing snow day.

With a penny under the pillow of each little tyke,

Pajamas on backwards, ice cubes down the toilet, 

Elation is well-earned upon receiving the call.

Cue the deleted alarms, warm covers and cuddles

To sleep in past eight and make a big brunch,

Which really becomes lunch, as time is muddled.

But there are no complaints, no room for that,

Only giggles and shrieks from sibling huddles.

Building forts, watching movies, sipping cocoa

Mom, enjoying the mess, leaves cleaning for later

Most of the day, that is, until the children must go

Outside to play in the soft, sparkling white

That fell all night under a cover of deep indigo.

The same sky, now a bright blue, offers opportunity

For endless tumbling, unlike falling dominos.

We treasure the impromptu gift, time to be together

A poignant blend of laughing, fighting and affection.

************

To continue the wintery spirit, I have a new recipe for you! It reminds me of a fresh dusting of powder on a chilly snow day, but words do it no justice...

You guys, this cake. I just can't even.

If you're a fan of coconut cake, YOU WILL LOVE THIS. Period. End of story. Even if you don't think you love coconut cake, you still need to try it, because you will now.

I started with iambaker's homemade yellow cake mix and made a few adjustments and some complimentary frosting. Her recipe is the best homemade cake I have ever had--infinitely better then the store-bought kind, and with ingredients you already have in your pantry. 

This is the perfect cake recipe for a snow day, but you certainly don't have to wait for the next one before you make it. Enjoy!

Snowflake Cake

{makes one 9x13 cake}

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3 large eggs

Place all ingredients into a stand mixer (or a large bowl to mix by hand) and mix a few minutes until only small lumps remain. Pour into greased baking dish and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until the cake is fully cooked in the middle. Let cool.

And I have to say something else. I know that the ingredients call for regular, processed flour and refined white sugar (insert horrified emoji + thumbs down), but listen: IT'S CAKE. If there's one thing I've learned about whole-grain, non-refined foods on this whole food journey, it's that they don't translate well into cake form. They just don't. Believe me, I've tried.

Cake, by very definition, isn't supposed to be good for you, people, so just suck it up and use the flour and sugar. Because bad cake is worse then no cake at all. If you don't eat the whole thing yourself, you'll be just fine, okay? And if that's challenging for you, I have a solution: have a whole mess of kids and they'll eat most of it before you even get the chance. It works for me. 

Snowflake Frosting

1 stick butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

plus

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut {sprinkle on top}

Cream butter and cream cheese in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the vanilla, powdered sugar and coconut, mixing periodically until fully combined. Frost cooled cake with an offset spatula, covering evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup coconut on top. Nature's sprinkles are the best kind!

My kids loved this cake so much it only lasted 24 hours at our house…

Hope yours do, too! 

Winter Cranberry Mandarin Jam

There's no need for cranberries to disappear after Thanksgiving, and if you're anything like me, you have a few bags sitting in the freezer that you bought at bargain prices around the holidays. If you don't find something to do with those delicious berries, however, they might just sit there until next Thanksgiving rolls around. 

Psssst… By the way, if they do, they'll still be perfectly edible. Trust me. 

So what's a girl to do with her now random bag of cranberries? Pair it with some juicy, sweet mandarin oranges, which are currently in season, and you've got yourself a tangy, delicious winter jam. Biscuits just got an upgrade, y'all.

Winter Cranberry Mandarin Jam

1 bag fresh cranberries

3 Mandarin oranges, peeled and separated 

1 cup water

3/4-1 cup sugar {or sugar substitute}

1/4 cup chia seeds

Place the ingredients {except chia seeds} into a heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low until berries start to burst, about 10 minutes. Mash and continue cooking another 10 minutes until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chia seeds. As the jam cools, the chia seeds will soak up the remaining water and thicken it further. Place in an airtight container once cooled and store in the refrigerator. 

Enjoy!

Foto Friday: January 30-February 5

January 30

January 31

February 1

February 2

For the Winter Cranberry Mandarin Jam recipe, click here.

February 3

February 4

February 5

Foto Friday {Except on Monday}: January 24-29

January 24

Clayton went to a bowling party today--it was a lot of fun!

January 25

January 26

I found a fish at the pet store that matches the rest of our house, so naturally, I brought him home with us. I named him Turk--not only is it an extremely masculine sounding name, but it makes a subtle reference to the turquoise color from which he's made. But Eva has been wanting to say "hi" to "the turkey" all day. So we have a turquoise fish, who lives on our mantle, that is named The Turkey. Life is incredibly confusing sometimes.

And also, Toby came running into the kitchen today with his plant, screaming, "Mom!!! My plant is DEAD!!!" It did indeed look like it had seen better days, slumped over in it's current state and parched with thirst. The poor guy thoughtfully picked out this little flower on Friday (3 days ago) to give to his preschool teacher when he sees her tomorrow. All I had to do was keep it alive until then. Apparently you're supposed to water these things every once in a while. It's hard to find good help in a mom with a black thumb.

I am happy to report, however, that a few generous waterings later, the little flower was back to it's perky self. Disaster averted.

January 27

I decided that the first step in successfully mopping the floors was to actually own a mop, so I got one at the store today.

We are now proud owners of a squirty mop/duster combo thing, so I have high hopes for the floors actually getting mopped more then once a year (or two? but who's counting…). What I was not prepared for, however, was the excitement about said mop. You would've thought it was Christmas morning--they were lining up to take turns with the mop, sweeping the floor clean so they could use the mop in that area, and arguing about who was going to mop next and for how long.

Whaaat?????

If I would've known THAT, I may have just boughten one a long time ago…

January 28

And the mopping continues…

January 29