Easter Week 2014...

France in late March, 2012

With Easter approaching and spring already here, I decided my blog could not sit idle with the last post created as 2013 drew to an end.  In order to brighten my blog and align it with the season, I searched my photos and found a number of photos displaying the pastel beauty of spring.  I share photos here with captions to note date and location.

A flower market in Paris, France - a stop-over on a European tour in late March, 2012.

I had the privilege of sharing a European music tour with a son, his singer-composer wife and their nearly 2 year old son, 2 years ago.  That little guy and I were best buddies during that month and as we explored each stop, I captured the surroundings with my camera.  My blogging began with a short post on March 17, 2012.  There are 33 entries with the label, Europe Tour, Spring 2012.

French Park

Can't remember where this was taken.

Same French park as above.

Slowed for a moment as I snapped a shot in France.

This French city was wrapped around a park which followed the river which ran through the city.

Another view of the Paris flower market.

 Before I close this update, I want to share some links which provide scripture with insights related to "The Seven Last Words of Jesus" as he was being crucified.  These messages will give the biblical record of Jesus' statements from the cross.  The author of these entries is Mark D. Roberts.  Mark's entries started on Sunday, April 13th and will continue each day through Saturday.  These will provide rich biblical commentary about Jesus as he hung on the cross.  Reading these provides a way to be informed and engaged as Easter week unfolds.

1. The First Word:  Luke 23:34 
   Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
2. The Second Word:   Luke 23:43 
   And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
3. The Third Word:  John 19:26  
   When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.”
4. The Fourth Word:  Mark 15:34    Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
5. The Fifth Word - will be available on Thursday, April 17at The High Calling Daily Reflection website.

I am pleased to provide photos which display the breathtaking beauty of spring tulips, pansies and other early blooms, but I am even more eager to share scriptures about what is celebrated each Easter.  This is the event most important to Christians.  Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life and died in order to be the one, true, perfect sacrifice for sin.  His death paid the penalty I and all others deserve for our sin.  But through faith in him, we can confess our sin and be forgiven.  This is what makes Easter such a wonderful event to celebrate.  Salvation is free for humans but it cost Jesus his life.  He overcame death and rose from the grave and lives today - the only religious leader who can make that claim.  How I love this Jesus.  I hope and pray you do too.

John 3:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.