Lady Traveler's thoughts on Palm Sunday

For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Not all roads lead to heaven.

Easter is the time to remember and celebrate
the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh, happy day, Oh happy day,
when Jesus washed my sins away.
(love that song!)

When I recently read an article on Facebook

about Universal Christianity* I felt both anger and sadness.
The article compelled me to write this blog because the Bible warns us that
in the last days many will be deceived, even the very elect.
Don't become another statistic to fall for such lies.
oops ... did I step on someone's toes?
Well, come along for the ride anyway.
It might get a little bumpy but it'll worth the trip.

Jesus said,

"I am the way the truth and the life.

No man comes to the Father but by me."

John 14:6

"For the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Luke 19:10

Good deeds are good, but not enough to get anyone to heaven.

There is only one way:

"Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin."

Hebrews 9:22

Jesus said,

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

No man takes my life from me,

but I lay it down myself.

I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."

John 10:17-18

Jesus said,

"Thou could have no power at all against me,
except it were given you from above: 
therefore, he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin."

John 19:10

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all,

to be testified in due time.

I Timothy 2:5-6

During this Easter season take time to read the gospel of John (new testament) and 

you will read Jesus' loving and lifesaving words to you and to me.

As you study the Bible, remember to keep the gospel simple.
Don't be deceived by Universal Christianity.

Jesus loves you.  He chose to die on the cross for us so we can have eternal life.
It is our choice to come to him. 

Jesus said,
In my Father's house are many mansions ...

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and receive you unto myself;

that where I am, there you may be also."

John 14:2-3

Jesus is coming again soon.

~I wish you oceans of wise choices~

*For more information regarding Universal Christianity go to:
http/biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2017/03why-hoping-all-men-will-be-savedis.html

http/theheresyofuniversalsalvation.html

www.sharonleaf.com

My 72nd-year photo

He has risen indeed!

Sunrise service on Lake Wylie in Tega Cay, SC, 2011

Rob and I rose early to attend Sunrise Service at Saxe Gothe Church down the road.  Afterwards I got so blessed when we dined at IHOP.  Each time we gave a "Happy Easter" to someone, they would reply, "He has risen!" and we answered, "He has risen indeed!"  And when we dropped by to see Mom at Oakleaf Village, the lovely elderly folks replied in unison, "He has risen indeed!"  Oh, how I love the south.

I wish everyone oceans of blessings on this day of celebration of our Lord's resurrection.

"He has risen!  He has risen indeed!"

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's Peaceful Palm Sunday on Palmer Drive

Popcorn lounging on a cold, rainy day

I've stayed close to the homestead these past two days.  

Rain, wind, and cold have kept me indoors, 

lounging and reading by the fireside, 

wrapped in a cozy shawl while writing in my office, 

or snuggled under a quilt, 

power-napping on my bed.  

Of course Popcorn is beside me at all times.  

Rob?  He's working, bless his heart.

Today is Palm Sunday and I look forward to watching 

The Passion, my annual tradition.  

I have been invited to attend a Passover Seder 

tomorrow evening 

(I must remember to iron my white blouse), 

and I look forward to attending Easter Sunday services 

with my family. 

In the midst of the world's uncertainty, 

cozying up to my Savior and best friend gives me an 

inner calm that nothing else can.  

Whatever you're going through, I hope you too, 

are experiencing the peace of the Lord.

I wish you oceans of EASTER blessings.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  

He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  

He leads me beside still waters.  

Psalm 23:1-2

www.sharonleaf.com

The Passion, Easter, Amazing Grace

This gift from my dear friend, Shirley, says it all.

And when they mocked him, they took the robe off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to be crucified. Matthew 27:31

It's raining today, which seems appropriate for Good Friday. This morning as I read in my daily devotional book, Another Day of Victory, by Ulf Ekman, I found myself reminiscing about my last trip to Israel when I walked down the Via Dolorosa--where Jesus took his final, lonely, journey. The crowds who had previously cried, "Hosanna!" the week before, were now yelling "Crucify him!" My, how we can change our tune in just an instant.

But far worse, later that day, as he hung on that lonely cross, he was separated from God, his Father. I won't go into detail about the excruciating pain Jesus suffered for us, but as he hung there in agony, he saw much more than we could ever imagine. He saw our future, with--and without--Him. For us, he suffered, bled, and died. But there is more to this story...

Today, as I do every year, I'm going to watch The Passion of the Christ, and then on Sunday I'll attend a traditional Easter service at the little Methodist church around the corner. I'm longing to sing the hymns about Christ's resurrection. The Old Rugged Cross, He Lives (up from the grave he arose!), and more. Why? Because the resurrection is not the end of this wonderful story--it's just the beginning!

Easter is a time for family dinners, Easter egg hunts, and all the other traditional stuff. But let us always remember the true meaning of Easter as we pray,

Lord, death could not hold you, and death has been eternally conquered. Thank you, Lord, that you rose to grant me eternal life! Amen!

And that, my dear friends, is Amazing Grace.

Passion week, Passover, Easter

Relentless Love...that's what Jesus has for us. He never gives up, even when we give up on ourselves. Watching the movie, The Passover, reminds me of His relentless love even more.

There are special moments to be found during this season of Passover and Easter. You must find yours. For me, it is taking time to ponder on what the Jewish heritage has given me throughout history. There are differences along the way, among the Jews, among the Christians, but I believe God speaks to us individually, as we give Him permission. I have been to Israel several times--I still long to return to that small country again--and each time I walk the streets of Haifa, Netanya, Jerusalem, Jericho, my heart goes out to the people, both Jews and Arabs. They want to live in peace, and they try with all that is within them. But always, there is an undermining tension, a spiritual warfare that continues both day and night.

This blog is not intended to be political or religious, but let us continue to pray for peace...for our country, and for the peace of Jerusalem. Messiah will one day return to establish His kingdom of peace upon the earth. He shall reign in Jerusalem. I plan to be there. How about you?

In the meantime, we can do our part in spreading God's peace, especially during this Passion week. Someone in your life needs a touch of kindness from Yeshua--through you.

"La Chaime! To Life--everlasing!"