Dear Readers and Friends,

I am having to make a difficult decision.

It involves continuing to write this blog or to put it aside.

When you are a wife and a mother, you must stick to your priorities of your
family first. Granted, our young people are a bit older now, but it is amazing that they need even more time now as they process the next stages of life. Thank God they desire to have us as coaches (my husband and me) as we relinquish our roles as parents.

It is a new season in life, and it requires an undivided mind.
I want to be a good steward of my time and health.

I already write another blog, and I can't do two.
I would love to have you come visit me there.


Please visit me at 'Deep Roots at Home' on Facebook
or
www.deeprootsathome.com/ to access my blog


****The reason I have made this decision is for one reason only. ****

As I look at the statistics of those who visit, I see that the total time spent
(on average) is only about 2 minutes. The videos alone average almost 4 minutes, not to mention the text, so I know most who visit are not getting the MEAT of the post.

The meat is the Scripture and the music.

Jesus is preached in the Word and the music, but I believe it may be a waste of my time and energy to write something that seems to not be read and used.

It is a hard decision (as I said before) because the stats show at least 50 visits a day, some days quite a bit more.

Interestingly, there are more from outside the US than in the US.

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


If you wish to contact me, you may comment on this post.

I would love to hear your comments or thoughts.

Many blessings in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Jacqueline

Blessings, by Laura Story

The real story behind Laura Story (from her website):

There’s no denying some of the blessings in Laura Story’s life. She wrote the No. 1 worship hit “Indescribable”, recorded in 2004 by Chris Tomlin, married a handsome athlete named Martin Elvington the next year, and began working in music and women’s ministry at the 4,000-member Perimeter Church in Atlanta. Her 2008 national debut won a Dove Award and earned Laura two consecutive nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year—all blessings, indeed.

But amidst that success, a brain tumor hospitalized her husband in 2006. The faith Story sang about was put through the unexpected fires of fear and loneliness; most young newlyweds don’t imagine being kept alive at one point by breathing machines or having to find their way through significant post-operative vision and memory loss. Would faith grow or be lost in such a life-altering struggle?

“Life is filled with things you don’t expect, but the Bible tells us to respond by trusting God and continuing to worship him,” Story begins. “Martin hasn’t received complete healing—and that can be hard at times when we view God as all-powerful and all-loving. But here we are now saying, ‘Yes, this is how faith works.’ God has proven to be faithful. We have been truly blessed out of a circumstance that at first didn’t seem like much of a blessing at all.”This is a chance to share the gospel.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. It hasn’t been easy,” Laura admits. “Everyone wants to be a mature and equipped follower, but would I have signed up had I known what it would take? God has grown us up, deepened our faith, our awareness of our great need for him as a savior, daily. We knew it before, but we didn’t see it. This is a good place to be.”

Story likes a quote by martyred Christian missionary Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

“The world supports an idea of self-centered living because ‘I just have this one life,’ but we need to look at it the other way,” explains Laura. “We only have one life to give to God. I don’t want to have held anything back. I want to give with abandon, to be spent, to truly give my life away for the cause of Christ.”

Yet Story knows firsthand the journey to surrender gets complicated—that it sometimes involves having to redefine what God’s “blessings” could mean, a spiritual wrestling match she perfectly encapsulates on Blessings’ breathtaking title track and first single:

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
is a revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?

“The song shows that we still have more questions than answers,” Laura confesses. “But there’s a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God, or whether we’re going to judge what we hold to be true about God based on our circumstances.”

Laura and Martin’s circumstances have magnified the blessing of marriage. High school sweethearts, they faced the strong chance their long-awaited bond might last just two years.

“Once you’ve rallied through a life-threatening illness together, the rest of it is like a surprise; every day is a new gift that might not have been there. It’s not as big a deal now if he leaves his socks on the floor,” Laura says with a smile.

“People ask how we’re doing, and I like to say: ‘We have a faithful God.’ Every promise he’s kept, every need he’s met.” Without a doubt, blessings abound in Laura Story’s life. Offstage, she and Martin love to be outdoors, riding bikes or trekking their way through the book 50 Hikes in North Georgia.

Lyrics:
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace.
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.
We pray for healing, prosperity.
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.

All the while, You hear each spoken need.
Your love is too way too much to give us lesser things.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this night, are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear.
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near.
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love.
As if every promise from Your word is not enough.

All, the while, You hear each desperate plea.
And long that we'd have faith to believe.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this night, are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win;
We know that pain reminds this heart, that this is not, this is not our home.
It's not our home.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?

What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life;
Is a revealing of a greater thirst that a world can't satisfy?
And what if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights;

Are Your mercies in disguise?

Supporting Scriptures:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1 :2-4

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1 :12

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5: 11

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1: 6-7

El Shaddai, Eden's Bridge

El Shaddai - means: God Almighty All-Sufficient God

El Shaddai in Hebrew

El - Hebrew meaning: might - strength - power -- El is almost always used to distinguish God from false gods

El-Elyon -- The Most High God
...the title stresses God's strength, sovereignty and supremacy, sometimes referred to in scripture simply as - Elyon

Elyon in Hebrew

Erkamka - means: I have compassion on you

Adonai - means: Lord -- master, owner, father Erkamka na Adonai - means: We will love You, Oh, Lord

Adonai in Hebrew

Lyrics:

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,

El-Elyon na Adonai,

Age to age you're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,

Erkamka na Adonai,

We will praise and lift you high,
El Shaddai.

Through your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of Your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might,
You set your children free.

Through the years You've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be.

Though Your word contained the plan,

They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done

Through the frailty of Your Son.

Supporting Scriptures:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes." " Matthew 13: 13-15

"Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together." Genesis 22: 7-8

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land." Exodus 14: 21

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22: 13

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8

"My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever." Psalm 145: 21

He Knows My Name, Maranatha Singers

What would you think of a god who doesn't know your name? He doesn't know you, or any thing about you?

I believe He wouldn't be much of a god at all!!!

But the Bible tells us that we do have a God Who does know us. He knows our name, He knows our frame. He knows how many hairs we have on our head! He knew us when He formed us in our mother's womb!

" And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid... Matthew 10: 30

"...For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. " Psalm 103: 14

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me." Psalm 139:1

"This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."
Psalm 34: 6

So we have an awesome God, familiar with all our ways! Besides knowing our name, He created us and loves us. We are the sheep of His pasture, and He calls us all by name. See Psalm chapter 23.

The Maranatha! Singers is a 50-person-strong voice choir comprised mostly of University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College students. Founded in 1970, the group is part of the University Methodist Church and Student Center (U.U.M.C.), Gainesville, FL. The group sings most Sundays at the worship service during the fall and spring semesters, and also tours outside of the church. The Maranatha! Singers have also issued numerous recordings over the years.

Lyrics:
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

He knows my name

He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call

Supporting Scriptures:
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." Psalm 139: 1-4

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be." Psalm 139: 13-16

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Psalm 34: 4-7

"Thou hast kept count of my wanderings; put Thou my tears in Thy bottle! Are they not in Thy book? Psalm 56:8

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

Let My Lifesong Sing, Casting Crowns

Last week, Pastor David Wilkerson was killed in a head-on car accident; that same day his last blog was published. He had lived a life of power, grace, and joy! What a testimony to his faith in Jesus at age 79! He lived what he spoke - he left a 'lifesong' worthy of note!


In 1986, while walking down 42nd Street at midnight, Pastor David Wilkerson’s heart broke over what he saw. At that time, Times Square was populated mainly by prostitutes and pimps, runaways, drug addicts and hustlers, along with live peep shows and X-rated movie houses. Pastor David cried out for God to do something—anything—to help the physically destitute and spiritually dead people he saw.



He cried out to God to bring a testimony to that hellish place of drug addicts, prostitution, and pimps. God spoke to his heart that 'he knew New York and he should do something about it! ' In 1987, he opened Times Square Church. He loved those in the street gangs and helped many to receive their Lord and Savior. He wrote about the rough years working in the gangs in The Cross and the Switchblade.

Here is an excerpt from his last blog:
WHEN ALL MEANS FAIL by David Wilkerson | April 27, 2011

"To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen” (John 20:29).

Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.

Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.

That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions: “Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.”

Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: “Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay!”

Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world."

Mark Hall of Casting Crowns has written this song that makes me cry out to the Savior for the grace to live a sold-out life for Him. I want to be that witness and let my life-song sing, too!

"I love this song.... God is so powerful. I mean I am only 12, but I am so grateful for what he has done for me. I got saved recently, and my whole world became brighter. I have had at least 20 people ask me how I went from being a stuck up brat, to a whole new person, And I just reply saying- 'I once was lost, but now I see'. I now walk with Christ in Faith. Casting Crowns helped save my eternal life. Thank you, Jesus!" ~ anonymous comment

Lyrics:
Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say

And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign Your name to the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Hallelujah Hallelujah

Let my lifesong sing to You

Supporting Scriptures:

"The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15: 2

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12 :2

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer." Psalm 19: 14

"Whom have I in heaven, but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my Portion forever." Psalm 73: 25-26

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one." Psalm 28: 7-8

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2: 14-16

O Lord, How Majestic Is Thy Name, Keith Green

Keith Green has inspired so many people and been used to bring seeking people to the Lord through the years of his life. It is a fascinating story worth re-telling.

Keith was born near Brooklyn, New York. His mom had been with the Big bands as a singer, and his dad was a schoolteacher. As a small child Keith's mom said he had perfect pitch as he sang his baby songs. At the age of three, his family moved to CA and settled into the newly developed fruit orchards of the San Fernando Valley, a short drive to Hollywood. This proximity, it turned out, would play a significant role in Keith's later years.

As a young boy, around 6, Keith learned how to play guitar and piano. He liked piano best, and when his grandfather taught him to play chords, he began writing his own music and singing his own songs.

He was raised with a Jewish background, but he had read the New Testament. There was confusion because of this and other events in his life that left him feeling like a failure. He ran away at the age of 15, and began a journey of searching for purpose mixed with drugs, eastern mysticism, and free love. He kept a journal from this point on writing about his yearning to know truth through musical adventures and the 'spiritual' life.

At nineteen, Keith married Melody, another musician, also seeking truth and purpose. They searched together and found what they had been looking for - a relationship with the Lord of the universe. He never looked back.

What had once confused him now made sense as Keith proudly told the world, “I'm a Jewish Christian." As Keith opened his heart to Jesus, he and Melody opened their home. Anyone with a need, or who wanted to kick drugs, was welcome. Their house became known as "The Greenhouse."

Not only did Keith's life change, all of his songs changed, too. Now his songs reflected the absolute joy of finding Jesus and seeing his own life totally changed. He went way beyond most people's comfort zone in how he lived his life. In his concerts, he would say, “If you praise and worship Jesus with your mouth, and your life does not praise and worship him, there's something wrong!"

“I repent of ever having recorded one single song and ever having performed one concert if my music, and more importantly -- my life -- has not provoked you into godly jealousy, or to sell out more completely to Jesus!” ~ Keith Green

This was written and released by Keith Green in 1982. He died and went to be with Jesus in July of that year. Last Day Ministries is continuing to serve in a hurting world. You can read more about their history here.

His music written from Psalm 8 to glorify Jesus Christ still moves me today 28 years after his death.

Lyrics:
Oh Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Thy name in all the earth
Oh Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Thy name in all the earth

Thou has displayed Thy splendor above the heavens
Thou has established strength from mouths of infants
To show all Thine enemies

Oh Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Thy name in all the earth
Oh Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Thy name in all the earth

For when I consider the Heavens, the work of Thy fingers
The moon and the sun which Thou hast appointed
For what is man, that Thou dost take thought of him
And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him

Hallelujah Lord, our Lord
Oh, how I love You
Hallelujah Lord, our Lord
Oh, how I love You

You've made man a little lower than all of the angels
And crowned him with glory to rule over Your creation
And under his feet, You've put the beasts of the field
The birds of the heavens and what passes through the seas
The birds of the heavens and what passes through the sea

Hallelujah Lord, our Lord
Oh, how I love You
Hallelujah Lord, our Lord
Oh, how I love You

Hallelujah Lord, our Lord
Oh, how I love You
Hallelujah Lord, our Lord
Oh, how I love You

Supporting Scriptures:
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm chapter 8

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, Doxology

We celebrated my husband's and my son's birthdays (40 years apart) recently! That is great cause to rejoice in what the Lord has done for us...you see, we were married for almost 19 years before we had the blessing of a child! We had not obeyed God's command for right living before Him, and we suffered consequences that would reach over many years. Right out of college, we lived together. I had not given over my will to God or believed on His Name.

When we married, we lived for ourselves, jobs, money, and things. I am sad and ashamed to say we had an abortion; we did not know God's commands for right living. I didn't know it would affect my health, my fertility later, and our respect for ourselves or each other. BUT, God kept drawing us, calling us, and I finally confessed my sinfulness and repented. We grew in faith over the years and continue to grow. It has been a long road to forgiving myself. We are not perfect people, but by His grace, we have hope...and now can see His guiding hand in it all. Thank You, Lord, for birthing in us new life!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thessalonians 5:18

The words are from Thomas Ken, 1674, and the tune is the Old 100th in the Geneva Psalter and attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551. We praise You, Lord!

Lyrics:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!


Supporting Scriptures:
"Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases..." Psalm 103:1-3

"[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began..."
2 Timothy 1:9

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" Ephesians 2:8

"He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

Was It A Morning Like This?, Sandi Patty

Happy Easter!! Blessed Resurrection Day!!

He is risen!! He is risen indeed!!

The Scriptures below this incredible video (one of the top ten, in our opinion) are the basis of the words in this Easter video! 'Was It A Morning Like This? is the John 20 Resurrection account set to music!

Sandi Patty has probably the best female voice in the world (arguably!) and this song will be memorable to say the least. Sometimes I can't get it out of my head. I rejoice to praise the Risen Lord in this way!

May you also be blessed as you watch and listen. (For more Sandi Patty music, see link to it here and here.)

Lyrics:

Was it a morning like this
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord She thought was dead

What is a morning like this,
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two angels stood at the tomb,
Bearers of news she would hear soon.

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice To feel you again?
Over and over like a  Trumpet underground, 
Did the earth seem to pound: “He is risen” ?

Over and over in a never ending round
“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”

Was it an morning like this,
When Peter and John from Jerusalem?
And as they raced for the tomb,
Beneath their feet was there a tune?

Was it a morning like this,
When my Lord looked out  
On Jerusalem? He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.

Supporting Scriptures:

"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20: 1-3

"So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen." John 20: 4-7

"Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)" John 20: 8-9

"Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her" John 20: 10-18

The Via Dolorosa, Sandi Patty

In celebration of Resurrection Day when Jesus Christ was raised from the dead!!

pilgrims walk the "Way Of Suffering"

In memory of Jesus Christ, Christian pilgrims from all over the world walk the Via Dolorosa in Old Jerusalem, from Antonia (Pontius Pilate's ruling seat), to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, built on Golgotha (Calvary), the "hill of the skull".

Via Dolorosa is Latin for "Way of Suffering". Traditionally, it is held to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion, but some of the modern traditions (of the Via Dolorosa and the fourteen stations of the cross) is mostly unbiblical.

a view from the air of the chapel of condemnation where Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus to death on a Roman cross

Of the fortress Antonia, for example, where Christ was judged before Pilate and where Herod the Great had his residence, only a few scraps of paving remain. This building, which stood near the northwest corner of the Temple, was the starting point for Jesus' painful walk toward Golgotha (Calvary), which at that time was outside the walls of the city.

The modern Via Dolorosa was created in the 14th century by Franciscan monks when a name was sought for the stretch of road between the fortress Antonia and Golgotha.

The two incidents, according to Scripture, that actually happened on Jesus' way to the Cross are positioned at stations five and eight of the fourteen stations of the Cross - the beginning of the carrying of the Cross by Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21) and the pronouncement of Jesus upon the generation of Jews (Luke 23:27-31). That Jesus fell under the weight of the Cross, before Simon was compelled to carry the Cross, is a logical insertion into the procession. They most likely only carried the crossbar, as the main post would have been to heavy to carry.

Jesus did walk a road of suffering from the Praetorium to the cross. But, Jesus is not a helpless victim, He is a willing Sacrificial Lamb who chose to die in our place.

Most of us are probably familiar with this term Via Dolorosa. thanks to Sandi Patty's song. You can refer back to March 28, 2011, for All To Bring Him Glory, also by Sandi Patty. We are so thankful for this music as it helps us to 'see' more clearly the suffering of the One Who bore our sins that awful day.

Lyrics:
Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street
But the crowd pressed in to see
A Man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating,
there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head And He bore with every step
The scorn of those who cried out for His death Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King, But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me. Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

Por la Via Dolorosa, triste dia en Jerusalem

Los saldados le abrian paso a Jesus

Mas la gente se acercaba Para ver al que llevaba aquella cruz

Por la Via Dolorosa, que es la via del dolor
Como oveja vino Cristo, Rey, Senor Y fue
El quien quiso ir por su amor por ti y por mi Por la Via Dolorosa al Calvario y a morir
The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men
Made its way through the heart of Jerusalem.

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

Supporting Scriptures:
"The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own

clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him." Mark 15: 16-20

"A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get." Mark 15: 21-24

"For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you." 2 Cor. 13: 4

"Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)." John 19: 17

"And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. " Luke 23: 1-4

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit," 1 Peter 3: 18

Worthy Is The Lamb, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

The Lord has done it! And He deserves all the praise! Worthy is the Lamb!

During worship

God has brought The Brooklyn Tabernacle from a handful of members (in a small rundown building in a difficult area), to a congregation of more than 10,000 weekly worshipers.

Pastor Cymbala has been used by the Lord not only to preach the Gospel in the inner city of New York, but also to see new churches grow out of the congregation across New York, as well as domestically and internationally. The ministry of the Church has from the outset reached out to the cross-cultural melting pot of New York City. It is comprised of men, women, and children of all ethnic and national origins.

Pastor Jim's wife Carol, directs the popular Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Although the Choir is composed of vocally untrained church members, it has been used by the Lord to present the love of God all over the world. The 285-voice choir has recorded three videos, three DVDs, and numerous albums, winning six Grammy Awards.

“The choir represents all different walks of life and every kind of sin,” Pastor Cymbala says. “You name it and we have someone who has been saved out of it, standing next to another one who has grown up in the church.”

I first heard 'Worthy Is The Lamb' over 15 years ago, sung in person by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir who came to our church.

What an amazing history! God is truly worthy of our praise!

During choir practice

Lyrics:

Verse 1)

Thank you for the cross Lord
thank you for the price You paid
bearing all my sin and shame
in love You came, and gave amazing grace!

Verse 2)
Thank you for this love Lord
thank you for the nail-pierced hands
washed me in Your cleansing flow,
now all I know, your forgiveness and embrace!!

Refrain
Worthy is the Lamb! seated on the throne
(we) crown You now with many crowns
you reign victorious!
High and lifted up Jesus son of God
the Treasure of heaven crucified
worthy is the Lamb
worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb! seated on the throne
(we) crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up Jesus son of God
the Treasure of heaven crucified
worthy is the lamb
worthy is the lamb

Supporting Scriptures:

"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

"He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him [Jesus] to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." Colossians 1: 15-20

"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods." Psalm 96: 4
"I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." 2 Samuel 22: 4

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145: 3

"No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power." Jeremiah 10: 6