This is Easter week Each day’s a time to seek Greater understanding of the death And resurrection. Take a peek!
A peek at the message clear That resonates throughout the year About the joy and love we share Living Christ’s legacy here.
Last Sunday’s sermon spoke To all the tuned-in folk I took notes (as I always do) I am tethered to the Lord’s yoke.
The message really resonated with me. Thank you, Brian Conklin, for your sermon’s artistry. I hope my readers find it impactful, too. Here it is for you, my friends, to see:
He is Risen, Indeed!
There are moments in life When everything changes Easter Sunday may have been One of them for the disciples.
Climbing a mountain Easter morning Was one of those moments – a struggle. Reaching the summit, I could look down The town below me was washed in sun.
The hope of a new year dawned A dark, challenging climb gave way To a carpet of wildflowers – The sun washed over me, too.
Today God has opened a way for me. He has created a turning point: Death does not have the final word – The empty tomb brings a transformation.
Jesus’ followers went from hope To a time of fear and confusion. Doubting, lives torn apart, they hid. Weeping, they gathered in the Upper Room.
They didn’t believe the women who told them “He has been revived! He’s alive!” But when Jesus joined the disciples And broke bread with them, they believed. Do we believe or is it too dark? Do we have unanswered questions? Christ brings hope and transformation. Believe! Step out! Death has lost its sting.
I asked AI for a picture of Jesus in the tomb. No, AI, Jesus was not lying in the tomb with his eyes open! So much for artificial intelligence!
We know He was crucified. We know Nicodemus was one of two men who prepared his body for burial.
John 19:39 – “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” John 19:40 – “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”
Today, known as Holy Saturday, also sometimes referred to as “Silent Saturday” is a day when His followers were stunned by His death on the cross. Puzzled by the way the Man they expected to save them was suddenly gone… and in such a cruel way.
We, too, would be puzzled if we didn’t know “The Rest of the Story.” The ladies went the next morning to the tomb. Not sure what they expected to see, but it definitely was not an empty place where Jesus had been laid! Imagine their surprise!
We can endure Good Friday and Holy (Silent) Saturday because we know. We know He is risen indeed! Happy Easter, my friends! Tomorrow we celebrate! Sure, we’ll see a lot of bunnies and Easter eggs and we’ll wonder if they have the whole picture. We’ll wonder if that bunny is a distraction or a blessing. Think about a few ideas that make the idea of Easter bunnies and eggs OK: 1) Bunnies are prolific – alive and lovable. (Well that’s a stretch!) 2) Eggs are a symbol of new life… and one of those plastic Easter eggs empty can symbolize the empty tomb. 3) See the meme below:
What is your mood this “Holy Saturday”? How are you feeling about the Easter egg hunts and the focus on the bunny?
I pray your Holy Saturday was a time of quiet meditation… A time to focus on why Jesus had to die And what His death means for us all. Without tomorrow, without the resurrection, He’d just be another forgotten martyr. But, He is risen indeed!
Happy Easter, my friends. God bless you! Love, JanBeek
This week my dear friend, Mona Durham, age 96, died peacefully with her family gathered round.
Mona’s family and the leadership team of our church decorated the sanctuary and fellowship hall beautifully for her memorial service today.
Her ashes, in a container under the purple cloth, were sent into the hands of God as Jesus and St. Peter must surely have welcomed her into heaven. She was a True Believer.
The floral arrangements were spectacular.
There was a beautiful display of photos depicting Mona with many of her beloved family. She had four children and seven grandchildren. Four of the grandkids shared stories about how her life impacted theirs in such loving, meaningful, lasting ways.
I took notes (as is my habit) as I listened to their stories. Here are my notes:
Mona Durham’s was a 96 year life well lived. She lived heartily loving and laughing; Tough, fair, sarcastic, always available, Humble, reliable, stable, and always hospitable.
Mona wasn’t delicate or sheltered. The last of three daughters, she was the son… The son her dad never had! How he loved her! Oh how she loved him, others, and this Madison Valley!
She was a woman of grit and grace, loyal and hardworking. Volunteered with church, History museum, blood draws, Elections, Women’s Club & Cattle Women’s Association. Her later years were less busy, but never less purposeful.
She gave her life to quietly helping others. Her strength, honesty, love, and strong values Were the glue that held the family together. Also the fact that she always had fresh cookies!
Mona’s strength was grounded and rooted. Her faith was deep, honest and clear. She carried struggles quietly with endurance. Her life will endure in each of us who loved her.
Following the service, there was a time of fellowship with beautiful trays of meats and cheeses (prepared by Deemo’s in Ennis).
Deemo’s also prepared this beautiful, tasty tray of veggies.
The family extended a special thank you to the caregivers at Home Park and Madison Valley Manor for the dignity, kindness, and care they showed Ramona in her final years. In lieu of flowers, they asked that donations be made to Madison Valley Historical Museum (where Mona was a faithful, treasured volunteer) or Bear Creek Schoolhouse (where she attended 1st to 4th grade and then later volunteered to help with fundraisers to maintain it – and organized pinochle parties every March). She loved playing cards, doing 500 – 1000 piece puzzles, and keeping in touch always with her family and friends. She will be sorely missed by us all!
Mona’s smile was infectious!
Mona’s granddaughter, Tori, summed up what most of her family would agree was an important take-away:
“I see so clearly that her impact isn’t simple or singular, it’s generational. What she has given us goes far beyond memories, she’s given us a way of living.”
“She never once told me how to live, but she sure as hell has shown me!”
Your shared love inspires us to pass it on. Thank you, Mona.
If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I used to share my sermon notes after church every Sunday. I still take sermon notes every Sunday, but not always in poetry now, and not always shared. I just got outta the habit. But, today’s sermon begs to be shared. It’s Palm Sunday… the start of Holy Week for us Christians. It’s a time to share our faith. That’s one of Jesus’ commandments! So here’s what I heard our interim minister, Brian Conklin, say today:
Jesus rode a donkey on a path of pain, Not a magnificent steed’s ride of triumph. The crowd expected a powerful leader – Not a man who would die a horrific death!
Was Jesus alone in His heartbreak? Was He alone asking, “Take this cup?” Was He alone saying, “Not My will… But Your Will be done?”
Jesus died a “flop” in the eyes Of His followers. They misunderstood. They didn’t believe the message: “I’ll die, but in three days I will live again.”
Obedience, care, compassion, humility – These were the Lordship of Jesus. Peace… and a willingness to suffer… These were His expressions of Power.
The Way of Jesus wasn’t domination. Not then – not now – So tell me, Which parade are you following? Which path do you choose?
Complacency, complicity, cruelty, pride? Love, humility, obedience, compassion? I choose the latter path – but the road is painful! Really? The Via Dolorosa… the way of suffering?
What path do you choose?
Back at home, I decided to do a little research. That path of suffering is sometimes known as Via Crucis (Latin for “Way of the Cross”). It is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem. It represents the path Jesus took, forced by Roman soldiers On His way to His crucifixion. It’s the winding route from the former Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. The current route has been established since the 18th century. It is marked today by 14 Stations of the Cross. Nine of them are outside, in the streets, with the remaining five being currently inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
AI generated this image of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. My “Path of suffering” doesn’t look like that. It’s not paved. It is much more like that first one: dark, barren, windey, foreboding. Jesus didn’t promise us a bed of roses. During this Holy Week, We are asked to travel with Him as He is arrested, tried, scorned, rejected by His very followers, denied by Peter three times, and Ultimately put to death. That’s the path. It’s not a pretty one. But, don’t stop there! If Jesus had done so, He’d be a forgotten martyr!
Walk on with confidence! Remember where your chosen path leads! Amen?
Happy St. Patrick’s Day My bonus daughter, Elainè, certainly knows how to celebrateAnd our daughter, DeDe, in Switzerland does tooOur son, Ty in California, knows how to have fun with his granddaughter I hope your day is filled with happiness, too
Send some snow or rain our way, will you? We are very concerned about our missing winter and lack of moisture. Love,
