Funnel Clouds and Easter Thoughts

Quote from my sister:

"Life is like a funnel cloud... it picks everything up and spits it back out [in a different form]."

Very true, no?

I like the comparison of Life/Funnel cloud.

Everything is calm and seems to be going well, then out of nowhere it gets ripped up, like a twister came down and inhaled it.
And after the storm passes, you're left to sort through the debris, and try to salvage anything you can.

It would help if we could get a "severe weather warning" a few months in advance!
There would be time to prepare, and move stuff to shelter, and brace ourselves.

But it doesn't always work that way, does it?
*BOOM*


So why is life, like a tornado, so chaotic and devastating?

Well, I'd say it's because of sin.

Since the first man, Adam, sinned, sin has left it's mark on the world.


But God uses the chaos for good.

God is in control of the weather: Mark 4:41 "⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” "
And as he is in control of the weather, he's got our lives under control too.

And though life will sometimes seem like a hopeless mess,
God will use it for good. And he will use it to draw us closer to him!

Praise the Lord! :)





On a more "Easter-y" note:

Last night I attended a Passover feast at the home of some dear friends.

We've gone several times, and each year something new pops out at me.

The symbolism is extensive and amazing!

One of my favorite comparisons is:

The blood of the passover lamb was to be spread on the threshold of the doors in Egypt so that the angel of death would "pass over" and spare the lives of the firstborn in the house.
In the same way, the blood of Jesus covers our sin so that when God judges in the final day, he will see Christ's blood instead of our sin and we will be spared from eternal condemnation.

Wow!!!! Isn't that beautiful?

Jesus was the fulfillment of the passover. He was the perfect sacrifice and payment for our sin!


Out of a simple obedience to his Father, Jesus suffered and died so that all who believe might live!

Romans 5:18-19 "¹⁸ Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous."

This is good news!!!!!

He loves us, and forgives us over and over. His blood covers ALL of our sin!
WHAT A SACRIFICE!
Just think for a minute how amazing that is... his blood covers over everything we've ever done.
The stain of our sin is so great, we could never ever remove it. But God did for us what we could not do! Praise the Lord!

In light of this forgiveness and boundless love that we have received, we are reminded to forgive and love one another.

We are to forgive as Christ forgave:
Matthew 18:21-22 "²¹ Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." "

Because we have been forgiven completely and our sins have been erased, we should be challenged to be a channel of this forgiveness: we need to forgive the people that hurt us/wrong us. And forgive them again, and again and again and again if necessary.

Lord, help us forgive each other as you forgave/forgive us!


We should be a channel of the Love that God showed (and is showing) us.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 "⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Are we envious of others possessions or opportunities? That's not love.
Are we proud of some ability or accomplishment? That's not love.
Are we out to get what we want? That's not love.
Are we frequently angry or even bitter towards people in our lives because of some way they've hurt or betrayed us? That's not love.
Are we hurting others? Are we pessimistic? Are we hardened/closed off towards people in our lives?
That's not love!

It's easy to think I am a "loving person", but am I really?

God loved us so much that he sent his perfect son to DIE for us! Christ loved us so much that he was willing to die!
We need to love like that. That should be our goal.

God, help us all to love one another as you have loved us!

This Sunday as we think about the wonder of God's plan for redemption,

Thank the Lord for his sacrifice!

Praise him for his victory!

♫"Oh Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me and bought me, With His redeeming blood,
He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood."

He is Risen!