Friday, April 10, 2009

It's Not Over!


It's Good Friday. No video today....I've "gone dark" since my videographer (Bobby) isn't available. Although it wasn't planned, I think the darkness is appropriate since this morning represents a dark time in history. It's the morning that Jesus Christ was dragged from his overnight prison cell, mocked, beaten, tortured, paraded throughout Jerusalem, and finally crucified between two thieves. On this day Jesus not only felt terrible physical pain but he also experienced the deep emotional pain of abandonment. As he was nearing death he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He ultimately surrendered to God the father and then he died.
Try to imagine how Jesus felt; alone, afraid, uncertain, defeated, deceived. Many who he had grown to know and love had turned their backs on him. From beginning to the bitter end of that tragic day, he suffered a terrible and very painful way to die. All hope had been destroyed that Friday for the people who had followed him and who expected and believed that he would save them from the ills of society. Those followers certainly would not have given this day the name "Good Friday". There was nothing good about it. It was over....or was it?
Now, nearly two thousand years later we know why we call it "Good" Friday. We know the outcome of the story. Jesus Christ conquered death by rising from the dead three days after suffering death by crucifixion. The stone was rolled away from the burial spot and the tomb was empty! He did this so he God could provide a means to allow people to be forgiven of their shortcomings (sins). So that all who believe in him as their lord and savior will have eternal life. This is the celebration of Easter morning!
Today you might be feeling alone or afraid. Maybe you are grieving or maybe you are enduring great physical pain or hardship. Perhaps you also feel abandoned. The outcome of your personal story is not yet known. If you are feeling down or even hopeless remember that all hope was gone on the day that Jesus died. More importantly remember that on Easter morning he rose from the dead and on that day hope was reborn. Christ continues to live in your heart if you accept and believe in him. He will assist you in overcoming anything if you allow and ask him to help. Pray, have faith and hope. Believe. "He has risen, He has risen indeed." Happy Easter! May you experience His love in a renewed way this year. Until next week... Donna

19 comments:

  1. Hi Donna.. and as you wrote in your Easter Blog...

    "Happy Easter! May you experience His love in a renewed way this year. Until next week..."

    ...I am already feeling His love in a renewed way through your site and caring thoughtful words.

    We are blessed by having this new way to be inspired and today I have to thank Jesus for answering our longing for you, RAS and Bobby, how you all are finding ways to help eachother, the communities and us who follow you all.

    The videos are great but any contact is inspirational. I think all followers know that there is a lot to putting together a blog and a video. St Patrick Project and all you and yours do is more than a blog and video, which we love, but is secondary to the good works you do. I will look forward to your next blog and video when it comes.

    Happy Easter and Shalom
    Jan-Michael

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the great daily devotion on CC website today RAS. And thank you Donna for your truly inspiring messages.
    We miss you both Robert & Donna! How beautiful it would be to see you this weekend, have an amazing Easter - God will turn everything around. What looks horrible, sad, unjust, and unfair at this moment will be raised up high above everyone, for all to see His wonderful blessings on you both. The same powerful One that raised Jesus from the dead is living in you - the Holy Spirit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your devotion. - Your are doing great on this site.

    Happy Ester, Rosemarie

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" What a glorious hope we have in Him! Thanks Donna for your thoughtful and inspirational words. Happy Easter to you and Robert and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. HALLELUIAH! HE IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED! THE LORD IS IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS THIS DAY AS WE CELEBRATE NEW LIFE AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MESSAGE OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION AND YOUR FOCUS ON THE JOY OF GOOD FRIDAY RATHER THAN THE TRAGIC! BUT THE TRAGIC PRECLUDES THE MIRACLE OF THE RESURRECTION SO EVEN THOUGH WE MAY BE GOING THROUGH OUR OWN PERSONAL GOOD FRIDAY RIGHT NOW TODAY IT WILL BE BRIGHT WITH HOPE FOR TOMORROW!

    LOIS

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOVE YOUR BLOGS DONNA. YOU ARE A REAL INSPIRATION TO ME AND ALL OF US I AM SURE. YOUR DOING A GREAT JOB. WE ALL MISS YOU AND ROBERT.
    TOM F.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Donna from Brisbane Australia. Oh I love what you
    have said in this new message on your Blog. A Happy and meaningful Easter to you and Robert and all members of your close family as well as everybody who reads this message
    God bless you all Barbie Maple

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful message! May the Lord be with you and your family. Have a Happy Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello Donna: Thank-you for your loving and true words. We listen to your video everyday and reread your messages. It keeps you and your family close to us. Keep up the good work. God Bless and Easter will bring new and good blessing to us all through you and Robert and family. Cysradell B. C. Canada

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Donna and Family,

    Happy Easter! Easter is what lives in us through the hard times. When we find Easter, we find life.

    Happy Easter! I look forward to your ministry.


    ~Heaven Reigns Within~

    Walking with the world
    Jesus became communion
    For eternity

    He erased the dark
    From the blind man’s eyes
    To renew our sight

    He taught leadership
    To twelve apostles
    Of his holy words

    He gave dignity
    To the humble prostitute
    Humility saves

    His miracles breathe
    In those that hear his gospel
    Breath from the Father

    His path is narrow
    The steep climb to Calvary
    Is rugged and long

    The earth cries for joy
    Angels proclaim his glory
    He is our story

    He is our story
    He has risen from the dead
    It has been written

    Alleluia
    Our salvation has been won
    We are one with God

    The earth awakens
    Nature rises in rebirth
    Heaven reigns within

    Amen

    ©Kathy Paysen

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dearest Donna,
    Your message is so true and full of hope.
    Thank you.
    I wish you and Robert and your loved ones a
    blessed Easter! Christ is risen!!!

    Ria, (The Netherlands)

    Whatever your cross,
    whatever your pain,
    there will always be sunshine, after the rain....
    Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
    But God's always ready, to answer your call....
    He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
    a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
    Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
    But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...
    The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
    to give you His grace, and send you His love.
    May God fill your day with blessings!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful Easter message ~~ reminds us all of what the Easter celebration is all about.
    You are a beautiful and inspiring person and your words reach out and give those in need hope.
    Spring is a time of new birth, look around and all will see the beauty that spring brings forth. With a lot of prayers and trust in the LORD this spring has brought a great new birth of good things for you and Robert.
    May GOD always bless and keep you both in your positive response to adversity.
    God loves you ~~ and so do I. Lanelle (CA)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Donna, Robert A. and Family,
    It is so good to have you back! Sunday's just
    haven't been the same without 'my' Pastor!

    How appropriate that I found you again on Easter
    Sunday, it truly is a double celebration day!
    People need to hear The Word from Robert A. as
    only he can do for the people that God intended
    him to speak to. You 2 were created specifically
    for very special and extra ordinary things.
    I am impatiently waiting to see and hear you both
    on a more regular basis.
    I totally agree with 'M' and to repeat
    what Robert A. always said and wrote "God IS Blessing you."

    Much Love sent your way!!!
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  14. Donna,

    I am so blessed by your blog. Happy Easter! I pray that you and your family feel the resurection power and experience the awesome shalom of God.

    I am in NC. I started watching the broadcast about the time Robert A. got in the pupit. You all became my pastors. I love the radiance of Jesus shining so brightly through you both.

    much love from the Tar Heel state! :)
    Marci

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love and prayers to you both, Donna!
    My husband David and I feel like we have our pastor back! Thank you for your timely words. You can't imagine how it fit into our current situation! We are looking forward to our connection and growth with you in the future.
    gerri in denver

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the dose of Hope, Donna! Lately I have been thinking about the pain of abandonment and failure our Lord felt that day...and how in His darkest hour He trusted His Father to make it all come out for good....

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for the words of inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Donna and Robert Anthony:
    I'm so glad to have found your Blog after wondering what happened. I thought you sermons and you latest book, "Walk In Your Own Shoes" was so inspiring. Thanks for letting us know where you are going to be....

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Donna and Robert Anthony:
    In reading over my comment to you, I realize I made a mistake, the "you" should be "your".
    I thought your sermons and your latest book, "Walk In Your Own Shoes" was excellent and bringing the new shoes to church for children that needed them was a wonderful assignment!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog. Please try to stay on the topic and remember also that there are many who are struggling through all kinds of challenges. Let's all be kind and thoughtful with our comments please! :D