Monday, March 17, 2008

Holding It All Together!

How's Easter going for you?
This year, I am unusually aware of the approach of Holy Week.
Now you know I am a Christmas girl at heart.
While Easter is where "the rubber hits the road" for our faith,
Christmas just appeals to the child, and the homebody in me.

But this year is special, there is a holy reverance
growing in my heart as Holy Week approaches.

Maybe it's just part of getting closer to an empty nest, here at the Ponderosa.
Now I don't have Easter eggs to dye, and all the other sorts of things that accompany that.
If you do, you are probably feeling like I often did;
harried, rushed and in much danger of losing the whole point of Easter.
Don't be discouraged. He is a good God and will meet you right where you're at today.
He wants you to know that though you may feel like you're falling to pieces,
You Won't !
He's holding you and holding me together, from the inside out!
He's holding all the presidential candidates all together! He's holding together your granchildren, your nieces and nephews. He's holding your neighbors, your bosses, your co-workers together!

"Explain yourself, Maria," you say.
About a month ago, my church showed this wonderful DVD,
WONDERFUL!
It was all truly inspiring and wonderful.
But the punch line for me was this:


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There is this little protein that works something like a glue
that holds us all together on the inside of our bodies. The way the integral parts string together forms a cross on the inside of the protein!
Here's part of what Wikipedia had to say "They are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue. Laminins are secreted and incorporated into cell-associated extracellular matrices. They are shaped like a cross."
How cool is THAT? He's an awesome God truly!
And apparently He leaves His trademark on His work!
He must think we're something special to do that!
If He sees to such intricate details as this, need we think He is not aware that we need brakes? Or to pay our property taxes? Or for the lab work to be better numbers this time? Or maybe for the trip to rehab to be successful this time, and the new diet to become a permanent life style change?

The cross on the INSIDE of us. Holding us together as GLUE!

"For it was in Him that all things were created,
in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen,
whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities;
all things were created and exist through Him
[by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.
And He Himself existed before all things,
and in Him all things consist
(cohere, are held together)."
Colossians 1:16-17

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10 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Great reflection to start off Holy Week. Love the pic too!

luvmy4sons said...

Oh and I wanted to say too that I love your heart that I can feel through this post..the way you know and reach out to those who are in the day to day grind, encouraging them to keep their eyes on Jesus!

Sharon Brumfield said...

I don't know how I would have made it this past year with out that glue. And now as things seem to be flipping around and I don't know where we will land--I need to know more than ever that i will not come apart if I keep my eyes on Him.
Counting on Him acting like super glue! :)
Still working on that diet that becomes a life style---missed the glue there. ;)

She Rose Up said...

Leslie, Holy Week is really significant to me this year, I feel like a seeker who doesn't completely know what they will find, but they will know it when they find it! Yes, my heart was moved as I was writing, at all that moms and such are carrying in their prayer bags! Thanks for your very kind thoughts!

I hope you had a FABULOUS time with your honey! And that you are feeling better?!

Sharon, I can't even imagine what all you're dealing with. I so wish it could be more settled for you. You must feel a little like Abraham and Sarah having to go and leave the land of Ur...(but at least you don't have a preganancy to look forward to!)

Happy Sunday, Ya'll!
Maria

She Rose Up said...

Sharon, Ooopps! I meant to say that the diet thing was stuck in there, because I figure I can't be the only one struggling with that! I really makes me heap on the negative talk on myself, it's just a bad deal!

But, I am GOING to get a victory here. It's in progress as far as I am concerened! Even if it takes a long time!

Hugs,
Maria

Cecily R said...

I get overwhelmed by Easter every year. THe commercialism is worse this time of year than at Christmas. At least at Christmas time people seem to come together and do more charity work. At Easter it's all about who has the prettiest new dress on and how many chocolate eggs you can binge on.

My brother wrote an amazing song a few years ago called Without Easter There Would Be No Christmas. Its what I try to reflect on. Thanks for your reminder too. I needed it.

heidi @ ggip said...

Our church had Passion Sunday today because they aren't having Good Friday. However, they are having Maunday Thursday, which makes things a bit out of order.

Denise said...

I praise God for holding me together, I love Him so very much.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Good morning girl!
I have a little something for you on MeMe Monday. Play if you want--if not just enjoy!

She Rose Up said...

Cecily, your brother just sounds awesome! I love the idea of the song! I completley agree about the commercialism, too. It really almost makes it ugly, if that doesn't sound too weird to say.

I am grateful that we are able to pass on the richness of the meaning to our kids in freedom.

Heidi, that IS confusing! :) But, it'll get the job done! ;)

Me too, Denise!

Sharon, I will be over and check it out. Thanks a bunch!

Thanks you all!
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!