He IS Risen

We went with a group of friends to the Capernaum Experience on Maundy Thursday - experiencing a re-creation of a village in Capernaum around the time of Christ's life on earth. My favorite moment I didn't capture with a picture. The actor playing Christ came through the villlage square laughing, stopping to talk and play with the children ( everyone stays in character). I often picture my Savior laughing and always loving His children-- a man not of comely features but he draws people - - -

Isaiah 53(the Message paraphrase)

Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field.There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.

He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.But the fact is, it was our pains he carried our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.

We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him our sins!He took the punishment, and that made us whole.

Through his bruises we get healed.We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word.Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence.Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening?

He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man,Even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.
Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain.The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.
Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins.

Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly— the best of everything, the highest honors—Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest.He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Being one of the black sheep - I'm eternally grateful for his willingness to become sin - MY sin so I could be forgiven. He is Risen! He is risen indeed.

I promise not to lose my head over this

Bad jokes are my standard humor - I chose a title for today's post from the Marie Antoinette award from my blog pals Lanny and Kathleen . We all know a bit about Marie Antoinette-primarily she was beheaded during the French Revolution. Most of the other things we think are generally incorrect but that's no surprise when referring to women in historically prominent positions is it? Marie (I'll be so bold as to call her by her first name) was evidently rather outspoken at times,one reason for the honor from Lanny who believes I am honest in my blogging (well I don't show y'all my scales or pictures of me in a leotard so I'm obviously not revealing everything here!) Kathleen likes my photos and tying our everyday life to scripture (which isn't hard since our faith IS our life here on Buhlaland). I'm humbled and realized after seeing both your blogs - pretty much everyone I thought of "honoring" you've already tagged! So let me say I'm tickled by you thinking of me and appreciate more than you know the relationships we have in our bloggy world. Even though Marie Antoinette apparently never said "let them eat cake" (supposedly in response to information the common people were starving and had no bread)- you could guess my response to this honor - I'll make a cake! Pictures and recipe to follow! Love to you all and here is a picture and scripture for today -
Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

We don't have any leopards here on Buhlaland but we surely have goats who lie down in peace. The verse from Isaiah is referred to as the "Peaceable Kingdom" - indeed it will be a wonderful day when we are all living in peace with one another and even predators and prey will have nothing to fear. Bless y'all and thank you again Lanny and Kathleen!!

Coming attractions?

In case any one is stopping by Buhlaland today - I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day taking at least a little time to remember those who have served our country. We are doing work around our place today - DH working on that automatic gate opener. He got the solar panel installed over the weekend. I am not sure which overwhelming task I will accomplish today - weeding garden, ironing, cleaning house or going to Costco. One thing I hope to do is cook something good - so check back later and it might be Tres Leches Cake and some baby back ribs - pretty sure I'll do a squash casserole since my dear friends the Harpers brought us a big bag of summer squash from their garden. Woo Hoo for friends who share! Hope the sun is shining on your personal solar panels today - bless y'all - it is Memorial Day on Buhlaland and we are grateful for a change in our daily work and blessed to be able to enjoy our freedom.

Try this WIDGET

Please try the new widget on my blog - you will fall in love with the concept. A clever man wanted to improve his son's vocabulary and help with the world hunger problem all at one time. For each correct response to a multiple choice vocabulary word - you donate 20 grains of rice. The whole thing is quite legit. Each time you get a word incorrect you'll have a chance (if you keep playing) to answer it again - so learn from a mistake! Another of those simple things we can do to help someone - costs us NOTHING and blesses someone else. Such a deal! We love some Free Rice Good Vocabulary .

Wisdom from afar

If you live in our part of the world -afar is pronounced as if it is spelled ah fawr (like burning wood). Your linguistics lesson for today in Texanese.
Chuck Swindoll is doing a series about living in the desert - not just dry lands but dry times for the soul - I particularly liked the quote from Amy Carmichael (missionary to Asia - amazing woman if you'll google for her - you'll be impressed). The picture here came from Donvahur's website-Amy as a young woman.

Amy Carmichael, wrote these words:
Before the winds that blow do cease,
Teach me to dwell within Thy calm:
Before the pain has passed in peace,
Give me, my God, to sing a psalm.
Let me not lose the chance to prove
The fullness of enabling love.
Oh, love of God, do this for me:
Maintain a constant victory.

Amen - when the winds are blowing against us here on Buhlaland - I want to remember that God doesn't always still the storm but He can give us peace in the midst of it.
It is good on Buhlaland - even in gale force winds.

EAGLES' REST: Yes, Virginia, This Really IS a Baptist Church

First time I've done a blog link - but Bob Cleveland over at Eagle's Rest uploaded a video clip to youtube that is more than worthy of mention. Crank up your speakers and devote 9 minutes to watching and hearing meaningful worship -

EAGLES' REST: Yes, Virginia, This Really IS a Baptist Church

Memorial Day is NOT just about picnics

Memorial Day is about memories of loved ones who answered the call to serve their country. The black and white picture is my father , Robert L. Porter, receiving commendation service bars in 1963 at his retirement ceremony at Walker A.F.B. in Nex Mexico. He served in the United States Air Force for over 23 years and was proud to be part of the defenses of America.

Growing up in the military made us very aware of the value of freedom and the price. Strange how in church yesterday there are so few people who stand up to be honored when the pastor asks who served in active duty military. My husband, Skip, served his country during the Vietnam era and knows the cost as do so many of our generation. Our neighbors son, Zack, is going into the reserves this fall. Our dear friend, Joe, is serving now on a compassionate mission in Central America. Thom Porter, a cousin, is a military chaplain. We have so many loved ones who have answered the call and a few who made the ultimate sacrifice. My Dad's brother died in WWII in the Pacific. The generation of our parents was the one who seemed to truly "get it" about loving others more than self.

We sang "America The Beautiful" yesterday - I love the lyric "O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self the country loved And mercy more than life! " Loving something more than yourself is the hallmark of those who serve - whether military or in any role of putting others above oneself. My Dad - Bob Porter - served his God, his country and his family. Thanks Daddy. For all those still serving - Thank YOU for understanding that the cost must be paid - sooner or later there is a price to pay for freedom. God Bless America, our President and all those who serve.