John 20:24-31 by Judith A. Sears

I have always been fond of the story of Thomas, ...missing out on seeing Jesus entering the house, because he was off somewhere. How disappointed he must have been. His was sort of a sour grapes kind of reaction that lingered through the centuries, that he doubted the words of his fellow disciples and promised only to believe if he was given physical proof that it was truly Jesus and not some ghost come back to haunt them. 

Then a week later it was finally his turn to see and feel the proof that Jesus was Lord and God. The neatest thing about this story is what Jesus told Thomas. For me, it sounded like a prediction, for I am one of those blessed who have not seen, yet I believe and Jesus knew I would be, centuries before I was born.

Tangible Proof, Closing Doubt's Door 

Do you suppose that Thomas felt warmth and vitality?
some kind of electric spark or perhaps a pulsing...?
the essence of God flowing through his fingers... 

Was it a brilliant thing to have experienced?
or a simple confirming wound?
the electric connection of searching fingers
examining the wounds,
the breathtaking realization of answers found,
his disbelief dissolved,
the humbling surrender, the clarity of his belief.

Forever forward Thomas would no longer be uncertain
the lesson was learned
though he would be remembered as the doubter
he will be still and forever loved for who he was.

Someday I will be at that door
I will know the affect of that precious wounded hand
indelibly impressed upon my own small hand
All the magnificence of the paradise
into which He leads me, will pale
compared to the splendor of holding His hand.

Judith A. Sears ©2013

Inside the Tomb

 The moon had passed its zenith and it was just past half way between darkness and light on morning the third day following Christ's crucifixion.  God summoned five angels including Michael the Archangel. He dispatched them to the tomb of his Son with these instructions: "minister to Him as he rises".

Shortly the angels arrived at the tomb. Two were left outside to guard the entrance. Michael said, "I will call to you when it is time to roll away the stone".

 Michael, the Archangel and the two remaining angles passed through the granite walls and into the tomb. As they entered their radiance illuminated the tomb's chamber. The air in the chamber was sweet with the aroma of the embalming spices. Christ lay serenely as he had been paced by Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus.
 The angels each took a position, one at the feet of Jesus and one near his head. Michael the Archangel sat at the Lord's side.

 A time passed and then Jesus stirred and the angles kneeled and removed the linen burial cloths.  Michael touched his arm and Jesus removed the face cloth and looked into his eyes. "Michael," Jesus said, "you have come". "Yes", Michael replied, "your Father sent us to minister to you and be with you until you come home to be with him".

 Even Michael the Archangel was taken aback by the scene: the wounds, the cuts from the thorns. Tears streamed from his eyes for he loved his Lord.

 Jesus sat up took the face cloth, folded it, and placed it on the ledge of the tomb.

 Michael the Archangel touched the Lord's feet and the wounds were sealed, he touched to Lord's side and  hands and the wounds were sealed. He wiped the Lord's brow with a warm damp cloth and the scars of the thorns were healed.

 Then one of the angels provided drink and sustenance and the other garments for Jesus to wear.
 "The time is near", Jesus said, "soon she will come". "They all are frightened and alone" Jesus continued.  "I will provide them with comfort and assurance".

 Michael, the Archangel,  called to those angels guarding the tomb, "roll away the stone, for Jesus Christ the Lord has risen". And the enormous stone sealing the entrance was rolled away as the break of dawn illuminated the earth.
 Jesus arose and walked to the tomb's entrance. He stopped and turning to the angels. Nodding to them  he said, "you two shall remain here for a while and announce to the woman I have risen".

"Praise God unto the highest", the angels replied. Jesus's disciples arrived at the tomb but only one entered.
 After the disciples departed, Mary, weeping,  entered the tomb, the two angles greeted her and asked the woman, "why are you weeping"?

"They have taken my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him", Mary replied.A voice from behind asked, "woman why are you weeping"? "Whom are you seeking"?

Mary turned to see him, and the man standing just outside the tomb said, "Mary".  Mary recognizing Jesus said, "Teacher".

And Jesus said, "go and tell my disciples I have risen".

By: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author: In Search of Robin, 

Through a Donkey's Eyes

The day started normally the keeper of the flock singled out a few goats and a couple of us donkeys to take to the market place in a small village just outside of Jerusalem.

I had made this trip before. I was often put up for sale but I have never been ridden and a little hostile action sent most would be buyers looking elsewhere for a donkey.

The trip from the fields to the village was uneventful, but there did seem to more people than normal on the road and they were carrying palm fronds and seemed very excited. All very upsetting to me.

Once at the market things went pretty much as usual, a lot of lookers but no one seemed particularly interested in buying me.

As the day wore on activity at the market dropped off as people headed back to the road to see a new King that was coming to Jerusalem.

My owners packed up and lead me to a small inn where I was tied to a hitch rack outside while they had something to eat and drink.

Suddenly two men arrived and began to untie my line. The owners shouted, "hey what are you doing with our donkey?" The men replied, "the Master has need of your donkey". The owners bowed as the men unhitched my line. I felt no need to buck or pull away, there was a strange feeling in my soul to go where I was needed.

In a short time we arrived at a throng of people, in their midst a man like no man I had ever seen. His eyes met mine and I knew that this was no mortal human.

As they threw there cloaks on my back, at first I shivered and wanted to throw them off, but then the man, this King, was at my side and laid his hand on me. All fear left me.

As they sat him on my back a warmth filled my being and we headed toward the great City.

The trip was not long the cloaks and palm fronds made stepping a bit treacherous, but there was always the steady hand leading me to the final destination.

The crowd was cheering, as the man climbed off my back. Our eyes once again met. This time he looked sad and deeply concerned. His eyes moved to the City for a moment then for some reason back to mine.

There was a loving smile, I could only close my eyes in response, and when I opened them he was gone.
The two who had found me returned me to the village where surprisingly my owners still waited.

We returned to the fields but I was never again taken to the market for sale. Sometimes in the cool of the evening my owners would come to my place in the fields and sit and tell stories to their children about the day the King road me to Jerusalem.

The children would often come and pet me gently, and the warmth of that day would once again fill my body.

By: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author: In Search of Robin,  

Salvation for the Normal Guy

I had just finished listening to the testimony of a guy who had been down and out, addicted to drugs and alcohol, he lost his job, home and family. His up lifting experience with salvation and Jesus Christ had completely turned his life around.  It was inspiring to say the least.

I also found myself thinking, man I am sure glad I never had to go through all of that to find Christ. I was saved when I was 19 and have had a few stumbles along the way but all in all no major tragic life failures. No drugs, no alcohol problem, no jail time, my kid actually likes me. Ok, I blew the marriage but we all seemed to recover from that and lead very nice normal lives.

I sure am one fortunate guy and God has been really good to me. I am truly thankful that I did not need to have one of these cliff hanger life encounters to lead me to Christ.

It also got me thinking. What about the "normal" guy. The unsaved guy or gal who works hard, provides for their family, has never had a major life catastrophe. Alcohol, drugs, sex, infidelity, all of those things that can send life spiraling out of control, are actually under control or so they seem.

But he or she has never had a life changing salvation experience?

What's in this salvation thing for them?

So let's say that's you. 

Just a normal person with most of life under control. Why worry about all of this salvation talk..

Let's start with a some basics.

First, in our society we strive to be self sufficient. We don't want to depend on anyone including God. Accepting the fact we may just not have everything under control is tough.

Second, if you are truly a normal person, I'll bet you believe the Bible. Oh, you may have some questions about some of it, but for the most part you believe what's there.

Third, You could be right. At this point in your life help is not what you need. You very well may not need Christ the crutch but you do need Christ the rock.

You may think all of that "sin" stuff doesn't apply to you.

Start with this: Being normal or good does not reconcile you with God.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

          .                                                 New Testament Romans 3.23

That is an "all" there. That means all of us are in the same boat.

An anonymous Poet wrote:
            Amazing thought! that God in flesh
            Would take my place and bear my sin;
            That I, a guilty, death-doomed soul,
            Eternal life might win! —Anon.

No matter how good things are if you really look down deep it may seem like something is missing. Nothing makes a life, no matter how good or normal it may be, better and more complete than a loving relationship with Christ.

If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, things may be going pretty good right now, but what arrangements have you made for eternity?

Where would you turn if things suddenly went bad?

Your soul does not end up in the grave or the urn, it lives on. Where will eternity be?

Wouldn't be wonderful to have the peace that passes all understanding in your life?

You can take the first step by praying this simple prayer:

Dear Lord:
 I am sorry for my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave on the third day  to save me from my sins.

Please forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart and save me.
I accept you now as my savior.

Thank you Lord for saving me today
In Jesus name I pray

Amen.

Don't stop here. Talk to you Pastor, if you don't have one find one.
Don't keep this a secret. Make a public profession of your faith.
If you have found Christ as your personal savior share this with a friend or via Facebook or TWITTER.

May God bless you.......

Watching the Sky - a short story by Judith A. Sears

It was a robin, probably a female, because her breast was speckled and not orange.  I’m not sure what happened to her.  I found her fluttering on the pavement in front of my house. 

 Now when I was a child, I would have scooped her up and taken her home.  I would have tried to nurse her back to health, fixed a broken wing, saved her life, somehow.  I’m practical, I guess, and certainly no bird rescuer.  But the “little kid” that still lingers inside me wanted to console her because that would comfort me. 

I know (like adults know these things) that the poor bird was doomed and not something I should be handling.  It was hard to watch and do nothing. 
 Spring is long gone, so there are no baby birds waiting in a nest for her to return.  I don’t think robins mate for life, so there was no special someone to worry or search for his wounded love.  There was no one but me there.

Standing vigil, I was anxious about the feral cats that prowl my neighborhood.  But we were alone.  No cats, no birds, not even any other people showed up for the longest while.  And when someone finally did approach I scrambled back into my house and watched out the window.  Kids.  They just walked by and didn’t even notice her lying there, quiet now.  I was sure she was dead.

 I watched for a moment to be sure, she lay on her side, still.  I went to get a paper towel to clean up the pavement.    All the while I realize I am harboring a hope that she will not be there when I get back.  

I could easily let myself believe that she had recovered and flown away, never that a dog or cat took off with her.  But no, she was still there and still dead.  I had to steal myself, feeling the cold bony body through the paper towel.  I stood there holding her for a moment thinking about the alternatives, bury her like the child in me felt was only right or put her in the dumpster with the refuse.  
So, of course, I took my little garden spade and dug a hole in the back yard.  There I laid her to rest with a silent eulogy.

This morning when I was taking my morning walk I noticed that the grave was open and her body was gone.  The adult in me eyed every dog I met with suspicion.  The child in me, forever believing in resurrection, is watching the sky.

 ©9/2012 Judith A. Sears

Freely Walking by Judith A. Sears

How I marvel at the effortlessness of walking.
Now, that I do not walk with the same ease
as when I was young. 

I never thought then how much I would miss the free feelings
of an early morning stroll or an evening spent wandering.

My thoughtless movement from youth on grass
to middle age marching on pavement
to tread mill machines that take me nowhere
landing me back where I started only sore and aching.

I'd as soon dance as walk but fall demons pull me off balance
bringing my knees down to be torn by gravel.

So, that my cautiousness interferes with my progression
jailing the freely part of walking, in fear.

Avoiding fear is sitting alone hands shaking with desire
to go in sun and snow, easily, like a child
who can barely be contained to walking
for want of running unrestrained
a cheetah, liquid flowing through trees, hunting its prey
rather than me, stiff here between the tension of my anxiety
and my fond memory of esplanades on Sunday afternoons
or beaches at sunset.

©2013 Judith A. Sears

A Walk to Eternity

It was over in a flash. I never heard a sound. There was no pain, no hurt.

One moment I was there and the next I was here. There was now a divide between me and what was once my reality.

The scene was clear and vivid. It was me laying there my life's blood slowly escaping my body.

But I was not there. I was in this new place.

I turned and looked around. It was misty and warm the was a scent of freshness in the air. I turned back to look across the divide an now the image was dimmer.

I could still see the details. There were others there now ministering to my body in a vain attempt to save my life.

But it was too late as one by one they reconciled my fate, all the time the image grew dimmer.

Soon it was gone.

Where was I? I had full presence of my soul but no idea of where I really was.

What seemed like a path lay before me and I began to walk.

It seemed like hours, but then in the distance something was there. A man. He looked at me and spoke, "welcome, your journey is near an end, do not turn back, just a bit further"

Ahead a light shown clearly and I followed it slowly as I had become weary from my journey.

As I turned a corner suddenly there was a great city in distance, and before me a gate. A man surrounded by what appeared to be angles stood at the gate.

The man looked with compassion and said "you have arrived here by your own hand, you may not enter".

I was over taken by an immediate awareness of where I was and at the same time by the terror of what was about to happen.

I could only utter, "Oh no."

All was silent. Silent for so long. All of my life passed before my mind's eye.

Then a voice from behind me, "This one is mine". "He has accepted me".

"I was bruised for his iniquities and I am his sacrifice for all of his sins". "He is mine and I am his now and forever more".

I turned to see, but the light was so bright I could not make out any detail, and then  a hand with large scar in the palm reached out take mine, and the voice said "open the gate that we may enter".

And all the angels said welcome.

----- Judith Sears