“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” My daughter shared scripture with me this morning from The Bible in Matthew 28:6 NIV.
A tradition in our family is to greet one another on first arising on Easter Sunday with, He Is Risen!” And the responder says, “He is Risen, indeed!”
My grown children still greet us this way on Easter. May it continue to be passed down through the generations.
Happy spring and may you find His grace and forgiveness, because He IS Risen!
Finding joy in God’s Word on this Easter:
I Thessalonians 4:14 “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”
… “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised the third day according to the scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, meaning Rock in Aramaic (and also known as Peter) then to the twelve.” Peter saw Jesus twice after His resurrection. I Corinthians 15:2-6 NKJV
In a recent Bible study I have been doing with my sister-in-law, Mary, we have focused on I Corinthians 15.
We learned that chapter has been referred to as the statement of faith for the early church.
I remember doubting the resurrection as a little girl and telling my mom this in a car ride home from church one Sunday. Her response was with scripture. She shared The Bible says in John chapter 20 verse 29, “Blessed are those who have not seen but believe.” My mother was a primary class Sunday School teacher for 40 years. I never forgot the conversation I had with her that important day.
Yes, I believe in the resurrection as surely as I sat at “Spotted Cow Coffeehouse” drinking a good cup of coffee with my daughter and friend this weekend.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
A few years ago before Ace was in school, he was always playing with the toy Buzz Lightyear. His imagination took all three of us on many adventures. I was the Bad guy and my grandson, along with the hero from Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear, would defeat me, over and over again.
Now it’s our grandson, Ryder, who has discovered the fun of using his imagination. Today he was pretending and I heard him say, “I have 20 kids in this house, how did I ever get by?” Finding this especially amusing since he is in real life getting a brother in a couple of months, I played along. “And a lot of dogs, too, I understand,” I said, “Good thing you like dogs.” He responded, “Yeah, I just have to put more gas in the car.”
Oh if life was only that simple and gas prices were going down instead of up. And when you got discouraged or tired, or in a place that felt really crowded, all you had to do was fill up your gas tank.
Pray for each other as Easter approaches, that we keep the smile.
James 5:16 “Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.”
It is encouraging to know that you can always begin again when mistakes are made. Start over and be blessed.
Is it gardening time again? The Poff Family Market in Southern Indiana showed some appealing seedling pictures. Now that the season gives signs of spring, it’s time to start some seed plants for the garden. As they take root and begin to grow, you hope for some days of sunshine. One fertilizes and waters them to nurture that growth which is always a really good thing to see. For those of us who love Jesus, our neighbors, workplaces, families, and friends are a place to sow spiritual seed and hope it will grow. Jesus taught many things in parables, stories to teach and illustrate truths. He talked about sowing seeds in one parable.
Looking at parts of The Bible in Mark 4:3-20 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition) it says; “Behold a sower went out to sow and as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed of the same kind fell on ground full of rocks, where it had not much soil; and when the sun came up, it was scorched, and because it had not taken root, it withered away. Other seed of the same kind, fell among thorn plants, and the thistles grew and pressed together and utterly choked and suffocated it, and it yielded no grain. And other seed of the same kind fell into good (well-adapted) soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing, and yielded up as much as thirty times as much, and sixty times as much, and even one hundred times as much as had been sown.”
In verse 20 it talks about those “sown on the good (well-adapted) soil who hear The Word and receive and accept and welcome it…” As you take care and prayer into sowing spiritual seed, sometimes you get to see what was never expected. It is in those days we rejoice when we see The Lord work and He reaps a harvest.
Thanks to Toshua Poff for garden seedling photos from Poff Family Market
Genesis 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with fish and other life, and let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”
My son showed me some of his feathered friends who recently came for a visit. During a text he shared, “I remember always keeping an eye out for the top prize of seeing a red wing black bird in the fields when we were driving someplace as a family; especially to church.”
Psalm 91:4 KJV (King James Version) “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”
God’s faithful promises are true. The protective feathers of His wings that heal and strengthen are always with us. Oh how He cares for us! The Sun of Righteousness frees us to do what’s right.
Malachi 4:2 TLB (The Living Bible) “But for you who fear My name, The Sun of Righteousness will ride with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves led out to pasture.”
Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
USA Hockey Team player, Jack Hughes with the golden goal that put them over the top, said, “This is all for country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong. I am so proud to be an American. Tonight it was all for country.”
It truly is unbelievable. The USA In 1980 beat Soviet Union. They had to wait 46 more years for a Gold Medal and it was a true patriotic moment.
When asked to describe his emotions about the win Jack said, “That’s American Hockey right there.” God must have been pleased with the way Jack, who made the winning goal, honored his country and others.”
The USA goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, made 41 saves during the game. Everyone doing their part earned the team win. The United States medal count was 33 this Winter Olympics with 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze medals. It was so refreshing and made you want to tear up, to hear someone share how much they loved their country and being an American.
Me too, Jack, and it was an honor to watch the USA Hockey team win a gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Also, God bless America, this is a land that I love.
Living Life in the Second Act by your coffee drinking friend Lynn Berna
This month we have been focusing on showing honor to each other as taught in Romans 12:10 from The Bible. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Honoring Each Other
Honor is defined as having high respect or great esteem for others, and especially God. When my daughter was young she really wanted a dog. Her dad said no to her several times. She began to kneel by her bed each night and prayed asking God to please change her dad’s mind to say yes to a dog. My husband was thinking maybe if he said yes, but, with some stipulations, saying yes might be a good idea. He said if she would not date guys until she graduated from high school she could have a dog. Both stayed true to their word. The adorable cockapoo puppy she named Honor.
God And Power in Prayer Two Things That Are Very Real
Just as God’s Word encourages showing love and respect to each other, The One who was sent to earth with the purpose of demonstrating love for us by dying on the cross is far more deserving of honor.
Make Good Decisions Ask God What To Do
God also wants us to honor Him in the midst of important decisions. When we find ourselves in an impasse He leads us to the right path best for our needs. The King James Version of The Bible in Proverbs 3:5-6 puts it this way as we give God honor by placing all our trust in Him,
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
If I could send a valentine to each family around the globe it would come from a valuable Bible verse in Romans 12:10 on how to lovingly treat each other. We know what love looks like. It’s when you are loved so much someone dies for you. That’s what Jesus did and it gave you Heaven, and right standing with God. His death and resurrection gave you the chance to be with the good guys, fighting on the winning team.
Keeping Your Kids On The Team
Jonathan Brozozog, a pastor with eight children was recently interviewed about his book called “Raising Parents.” His wisdom caught my attention. “Be in the moment! When we are with them we are with them! Don’t be busy with other stuff. Sow seeds of confidence by being a good listener. Then I took note of this wise advice and realized God was speaking through this kind father when he said, “Grandparents are a living letter of God’s faithfulness and their prophetic voice. Our grandchildren and children can see further when they stand on the shoulders of your prophetic words.”
More Wise Words
Gently the pastor said, “Our kids are not going to be what we say, they’re going to be what we do.” When finding yourself in a grumpy mood ask grandkids to pray for you“, he suggested. “Maybe kids don’t need as much medication as the world is telling them they need, maybe they need more time with their grandparents.” In the Jonathan Brozozog Book on discipline, his approach is to always pray before a correction. Someone who has eight children would know. “So you are Never ANGRY; Pray before discipline. Don’t send kids to room or away from you or you will teach discipline creates distance and God doesn’t discipline and send us away from Him, He disciplines us to bring us close.”
Other Important Words About Prayer
“Pray something nice over siblings toward each other. Teach them to serve each other. If your children only see you pray, worship, read Bible on Sunday to them your faith will be religion. And the best place to raise an atheist is a religious home.”
Back To Romans 12:10
“Honor one another above yourselves.” Author, and pastor Jonathan Brozozog says, “The more Honor you have in your home the less rules are needed.”
On Valentine’s Day we demonstrate love with words from a card, a love letter, a gift, but can you Honor those you love daily? Yes it can happen when we ask God to give us a true servant’s heart.
Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Yesterday I heard a great interview. Melania Trump shared she was on a mission as the First Lady in the Whitehouse. Interviewed by Rachel Campos Duffy while at the First Lady’s Documentary Film Premier, Rachel asked, “What is the secret to beauty in your view?” “I think you need to take care of yourself. I think self love, self care is very important because when you take care of yourself, you take care of other people.” What great insight which speaks to tired moms everywhere. A favorite mom I know is our niece, April. She attended “20 Days to be the First Lady” and here’s what April had to say about the film which made over 7 million dollars. “My take on the documentary was that she was raised by down to earth, kind people. I learned that her elder parents lived in the White House with them in the first term. Her mother passed away a year before returning to office. She was authentic in her grieving for her mother and how hard the year had been for her. She still includes her father in her every day life. He is often behind the scenes with her recording/documenting her work. I felt saddened during parts of the show because she is on her own much of the time. Of course the president is busy as is all the adult children. She really is doing her own business, activism work and fulfilling her calling. She didn’t seem sad, I just felt it myself because it would not be a life I would want. But she was extremely content in her skin, kind, compassionate, devoted to country, family, faith, and her vision. She is the picture of quiet strength with an articulate personality. She’s very much a DETAIL person and peacemaker. It was interesting for me to see the influence she had on hostage releases and advocacy for foster children.” The Take It Down Act is legislation that Melania Trump helped to pass for foster families. Another important project has been to see Ukrainian children reunited with their families after being held in Russia. The First Lady has been personally corresponding with Russian President Putin to bring the children back to their homeland and families. Rachael Campos Duffy said, “Fashion can be a form of diplomacy.” Speaking to Melania Trump the reporter said, “I feel you are one of the most fashionable First Ladies we have ever had in the Whitehouse.” When asked about being snubbed by the so-called fashion gatekeepers, The First Lady responded, “I was in fashion business for a long time and my Mother was in the fashion business. I was on the magazine covers and photo shoots.” The First Lady went on to say, “I’m very proud of what we achieved with Take it Down Act for foster families, for now and in the future, and that Ukrainian children are coming back home from Russia and that’s much more important to me than to be on the covers of any magazine.” Melania Trump is on a mission that is impacting us all. May it be said of each one of us that we carried out our mission The Lord God gave us. My mission is to follow after God, living out my faith in God while being a good wife, Mom, and NeNe (as my grandkids call me.) I’m on a mission to encourage and be helpful in whatever way I can to my family. How about you?
Living Life in the Second Act 