P.T.L.

my new favorite saying for life.

(inspired some 85 year old friends of my parents...)

---

[perhaps you can guess what it means after reading this post.]

last week i had the privilege of spending quality time up at, what i like to call, our winter weekend getaway, up in the mountains. one morning in particular, i caught the sunset.

P.T.L.

After our little cross country outing and soaking up the beautiful winter morning, we came upon this incredible view. Naturally, my mouth dropped and I couldn't stop taking pictures. (And this doesn't even justify the real view.)

P.T.L.

Soon thereafter, the downhill skiing day commenced, which I was spoiled enough to get 8 days in a row. It turned out being another beautiful, clear day on the mountain. Thank you Schweitzer Mountain Resort -- usually it's super foggy, but we were gifted with bright blue skies.

P.T.L.

These are the kind of days that you don't even get chilly, you are able to get on every chair on the mountain at least once, you get in about 13 runs before lunch (if you even go in for lunch) or you ski right through lunch because the skies are so clear and the snow is that good that it's not worth taking the 1/2 hour lunch break, you meet up with buds on the mountain and rip it up until you take the last chair at 3:30pm.

P.T.L.

By this point in the day, I had taken over 100 pictures and still had not captured the complete beauty of what the Lord had provided.

There was only one thing left to say...

P.T.L.

a change of plans

the world is so much more beautiful with snow...

a gift lie outside my window this morning.

i had to blink a couple times to see,

(as clearly as i could without my glasses,

which isn't all that clear),

exactly how much white powdery snow there was.

with not much planned,

i watched flurries all morning.

what a nice day on the mountains it would be.

i guess i'll have to wait.

until friday.

afternoon time rolled in.

a road trip to our neighbor state.

weather and partially plowed roads caused no barrier.

for some of us.

unfortunately.

it was the cars off the side.

the spun around vehicles.

the agility & care taken in each 1/4 mile.

for some.

inconveniently.

the trip took longer than normal.

almost 1.8 times as long.

too long.

too snowy.

slowly turning to slick ice.

the temperatures dropped.

the roads became eerie & uninviting.

you just want to stay in.

as much as possible.

this was not in the plans.

even if it's your best friend?

does she really have to live 89 minutes away?

in the snow it equates to 189.

feels like another state...oh wait. it is.

the curses of distance.

as beautiful as it is,

this doesn't look pretty to me.

oh winter in the north west.

ultimately providing,

a change of plans i didn't see coming.

driving back to the 'ho,

i examined the trees.

decidious held 4 inches of snow.

pine held almost 12.

each flake carefully set in place.

let down from the sky.

floating wherever the wind takes.

landing and piling.

causing barriers and,

ultimately providing,

a change of plans i didn't see coming.

the icicles from the lamp posts.

the wooshing wind on the road.

the heaps of snow in every crevasse.

that, indeed, is the beauty of the Lord.

He brings that ultimate change of plans.

And that's okay.

homemade christmas gifts.

Due to inspiration in learning how to sew, I decided to make an apron for my sister, JoAnne, for Christmas. She loves to cook and most of her other gifts include unique kitchen utensils or devices for cooking, so I wanted to give her something to compliment it all.

I walked into the fabric store in town here and saw this great colorful, polka dotted fabric.

My mum helped me cut everything straight and the right length. I've always had problems cutting in straight lines, so without my mum's help, the finished product would be very crooked.

Then the sewing machine and I hung out for a while. Step by step, it started looking more and more like a real apron.

Not long after this, I had a finished product. Thankfully, the sewing machine and I didn't get into any fights and I do not have any injuries, which is surprising, especially working with my mum's ancient Singer machine that she used to use when she was a kid. It has it's distinctive smell, indeed, but I'm thankful that my mum could be my second-(wo)man hand in the completion of this project.

Now, JoAnne will look even better in the kitchen with knife in hand. I'm glad I can contribute somewhat to her delicious meals she prepares daily for our family!

Flying...

I've always been an aisle passenger in the airplane until recently.
What a strange concept flying is.
And a fascinating one at that: this hunk of metal effortlessly soars through the atmosphere, carrying hundreds of people all over the world.

Before takeoff, I realize that I am in the same place as before, but with all people I've never seen before, most of the time. (The past couple back and forth flights I've had from Seattle and Spokane, I have recognized or have run into old friends from high school or from college now. With this being a common occurrence, I am even more ready to get out of the country and serioulsy be stretched and challenged not in my comfort zone. In times of discomfort and uncomfortability, I tend to find the constants in my life -- that one constant is God. In fear of becoming numb in my life, I truly do not want to be comfortable. Thankfully, though, I will have the opportunity to study abroad, which I believe will be the most challenging experience, yet most rewarding of my life.)

On the way home for Thanksgiving, I was discussing this thought with a friend on the plane - beacuse the lives we lead as college students are so selfish, in that you only have to worry about yourself and are not necessarily anyone else, unlike living at home where there are chores and each person much pull their weight to help the house run smoothly, we get stuck in a rut. The rut is that we forget about the outside world. We get caught up so quickly in our personal problems that our minds and eyes are shut off, for the most part, to the 7 billion other people in the world.
Cool thing about not only being in a plane, but just being in the airport is that you see people you've never seen before and will most likely never see again. It has sometimes been shocking to me because it's sad how quickly we forget about others and we fall back into our routines and schedules and try to stay afloat for the next couple months until we're back in reality.
So, for me, flying is such a great time and place for reflecting. My mind begins to wander as I look out the dirty window that thousands have looked out. As soon as the word 'airborne' rings in my ears, I watch the ground beneath me, that was moments before surrounding me, become bigger and bigger. I start to feel smaller and smaller.

And no matter where I'm flying to or from, the world is so much more beautiful ful from thousands of feet above the earth.

Where do you sit?

The aisle or the window?

"Dance with me, Jen."

rain falling outside. check.

guitar playing upstairs. check.

planes flying in the sky. check.

cars driving by. check.

silence somewhere out there.

silence & serenity.

another quarter of college was officially over yesterday afternoon around 2:13pm.

which means.

another Christmas break has commenced - officially beginning yesterday at 2:13pm.

which means.

home again home again i go - back to good ol' idaho.

which means.

i have the privilege to escape the craziness and non-stop life i've been leading the past 10 weeks.

i am escaping to a world that can bring quiet.

and peace.

i am hearing this invitation now: "Dance with me, Jen."

[these words of encourage bring me to some thoughts... Dance moves are usually not always performed in the same way. In the same way, Christ reveals Himself differently to people in different ways and under certain circumstances. Likewise, Christ never teaches the Gospel in the same way.]

Apart from finishing up the quarter over the past 10 days, I have been surprised by His joy. He has worked incredibly in my friendships here at school, in that I have been able to spend quality time with special people this past week and a half and have been able to focus on these relationships (sometimes even more than studying), which is fabulous and what I live for.

And now, break has commenced. Tomorrow evening I will experience the peace and serenity I've been searching for and what I've been needing more of lately. As much as I didn't spend as much time in the Word as I would have liked the past couple weeks, I'm thankful that the Lord has not failed me in that He has provided and revealed Himself in new ways.

challenge for you: find silence. find quiet. stop talking. open your ears. open your heart. dance with Him.

listen.

let me go home

i'm less than three days away.

three days away until i return back home home.

this "home" here in seattle most definitely feels like home,

but not in a way that home is home.

in walking back from queen anne today,

i was stopped.

my mouth dropped.

the mountains today (the cascades...i'm pretty sure),

were extraordinary.

i stepped inside and my specs fogged up.

tell-tale sign that it's time for snow.

my nose and cheeks were red.

red from the brisk, fall wind.

i am continually amazed that i live in this city.

what a plethora of adventurous locations:

beach & mountains; city & residential.

parks galore (not to mention).

what a treat to live here 9 months out of the year.

yet another gift comes complimentary.

i'm blessed to have a home i look forward to returning to.

the other three months are, indeed, quite lovely, too.

with that being said, my 2 weeks left in seattle before christmas,

will be much enjoyed and soaked in -

especially with all the christmas cheer and joy.

and the family i have, thankfully, here in sea town.

yet back in good ol' idaho,

the mountains of snow are calling my name.

the home-cooked meals are patiently awaiting my stomach's dream.

that family of mine has my heart.

i'm safe.

as much as my heart is recovering and trying to understand certain life situations right now, i am happy and joyful to be reminded that i can rest in the the arms of my Creator because He will always be there when i'm in pain and heartache. i am thankful to say that i am safe in His arms.

------

Phil Wickham's SAFE:

To the one who's dreams are falling all apart

And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong he'll never let you go
oh you're not alone

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas

These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

• Safe by Phil Wickham

More Phil Wickham music on iLike

life lately...

this has been life lately::

--colorful leaves.

--queen anne escapades.

--learning understanding.

Rabbits. Lighthouses. Fall.

South Beach Discovery Park this morning provided time for chasing rabbits, walking along the beach with the seaweed and rocks to a lighthouse, eating animal crackers, watching sea otters from far away, playing happy puppy, skipping through the raining forest, and collecting a plethora of beautiful fall-colored leaves.

All I'm trying to get at is:

THURSDAY HIKING MORNINGS HAVE COMMENCED.

And I have the privilege of adventuring with Miss Alicia Holsapple and Miss Courtney Pyle.

Thanks, ladies, for an awesome, rainy, enjoyable fall morning :)

I feel like I'm 7...

As strange as it is that I haven't had much homework the past couple weeks, I've been able to enjoy the extra time in jumping back about 13 years...to my seven-year-old self.

It's the hello kitty footie pajamas that I go to bed in after showering.

It's the french braid from a friend.

It's the container of bubbles sitting on my dorm room desk waiting to be played with.

It's the box of crayons that I cracked open today to color over a leaf.

It's the harmonica patiently waiting to be played with.

It's the pressing of the coolest looking leaf that I found on the sidewalk the other day.

It's the afternoon snacks of cheese and wheat thins.

It's the screaming in excitement for life.

It's the colored penciled letter I wrote the other day.

It's the ribbons in my hair.

What I've found in jumping back to this "childhood state" is that as we grow up in life, I think we forget to find joy in the simplicities that used to make us jump for joy. It's healthy to rediscover the joy that has been forgotten.

So, in the next week, I challenge you to keep your head up while you're walking out and about and open your eyes to not only what the Lord has for you, but what simplicities in your life you can stumble upon and find deep joy in.

matthew 18.20

“For where two or three

come together in my name,

there I am with them.”

-- Matthew 18.20

In just the past couple days, I've seen this verse come so alive.

: In the jam sessions in my room filled with singing and worshiping, or

: In the conversations I've had in the afternoons on the lounge couch or late at night on cement steps or on morning runs to Kerry Park, or

: In the floor bonding walking and talking downtown Seattle soaking in all the people watching -- all of these instances I have discovered the perfect presence of God.

I've recently been reminded how important it is to have people to be challenged by in a way that in listening to their struggles, that you not only have an opportunity to pray for them in what their dealing with, but also test your own faith by giving them advice or encouraging them from a different perspective.

[That might've well been a very nicely constructed run-on sentence.]

I'm excited to continue these relationships and deepen them even more, especially over the next couple months. It's encouraging to be immersed in the Word to start off the day, and then see that become more applicable to your life. I just started reading Romans as a part of my morning routine. By God's grace, it was a part of a conversation I had earlier today and it became alive in my life, which is a cool way that the Lord speaks to us. The scripture, indeed, is relevant and profound and applicable to our lives every step of the way whether we acknowledge it or not.

I'm thankful for the friendships that challenge me and test my faith.

I'm thankful for the unfathomable love of Christ.

Amen.

So Long Teenage Years...

As of tomorrow, my teenage years will be just a memory.

Is it that time that I must turn twenty years old?

Two decades seems like a long time.

Just yesterday I was hanging out in the beach with my belly hanging out of my sweet, pink 90's swimsuit. I regularly sported my striped hat (which was my favorite and apparently matched all my outfits, or so my Mum thought).

The first year or so of my teenage years were probably some of my more awkward years; that is because I believe that everyone goes through an awkward stage, some last longer than others, but mine, I would say, range from age 8 to 13. I was that kid with glasses and braces, kinda silly looking, to be completely honest, (JoAnne and I seriously asked our parents why they even took us out in public, but it was the 90's...we all fit in just fine), but I've heard the best is yet to come, so I knew I'd be okay at some point.

Somehow I made it through elementary school; perhaps some of the least favorite times of my life, but hey, I was a cute, so I got away with a lot of things. ;) I had a great childhood and I couldn't have ask for a better one actually.

Life back then, even as a teen, seemed so carefree. As I get older, although I take on more responsibilities, life also gets more exciting, I think.

It's exciting to figure out who you were made to be.

It's thrilling to see that person develop.

It's enticing to meet so many people and they not only help you understand more about yourself, but they become some of your best friends who challenge you and make you laugh.

It's encouraging to trust more and more in the One who created me and slowly see His plan play out.

"It's all about engaging in each other's lives.

It's about quality time.

It's about healthy conversation.

It's about investing in others and loving them.

It's about opening my heart, ears, and mind to what the Lord has in store for me.

It's all about Him.

It's all about being selfless and learning to give more of myself for others.

It's about shining His light so others might understand why you live the way you do.

It's about the relationships.

It's about learning to trust Him in the rough and great times.

It's about soaking up His unending grace.

That's what life is all about."

I'm stoked for another year ahead -- full of adventure, old and new friendships, taking risks, living fearlessly, being challenged spiritually, relationally, physically, academically, and emotionally.

So, here's to 20 years old...

an attempt at art...

my slr camera (a nikon D60, that is) and i have been spending more time together lately. here are some random recent shots from good ol' Stuart...that's his name, the camera that is. enjoy.

I'm Thankful I'm Not An Only Child

If I were an only child, life would be drastically different.

There wouldn't be anyone around to play with my own age.

My use of free time would be used more creatively.

The sense of community has been a recurrent theme in the past month; whether I'm in community with others where I come most alive or I'm reflecting upon it wishing I was more in community with others.

The encouragement I was surrounded by during the time I spent at Frontier Ranch with 40 fellow college students was fulfilling to me and is helping me get through that last part of summer; for me, summer staff was smack dab in the middle of my summer - perfect timing. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend away from the busy lives full of distractions that we live everyday and really focus on what the Lord has for me and learn to be more selfless and be open to the Lord using my whole self for others. I believe the serving and not getting any reward and credit is the most fulfilling. It was that I got to serve, one, our Heavenly Father, but also in community with others, knowing that I would have their support, laughter, and enthusiasm every part of the way.

Being in community with fellow college kids reminded me of how much I take for granted the blessing of the community I have slowly become a part of at Seattle Pacific. Through the people I have met and the love that I have felt from them is more than I could ask for, especially just for being a part of it for 9 months. Nonetheless, I'm STOKED to get back to campus in just three weeks and begin round two. It's the encouragement and excitement that I feed off of daily at school and I'm ecstatic to be back in that place.

Below is a photo of the 'banquet' table that we created in the infield at Frontier for the campers to eat at on the last night of camp. This is the most beautiful picture of Heaven right here:

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." - matthew 18.20

Soon to be my new home...Frontier Ranch

IN hours, I will be moving to Buena Vista, Colorado temporarily to be serving on Frontier Ranch Young Life's Camp 3rd Session Summer Staff!!

Three weeks of service in a beautiful place on earth with fellow college kids...sounds like a treat! I will be working in the snack bar aka: The SILVER HEEL - scooping ice cream, making sundaes, making nachos, etc.

I'm excited to love on those campers, develop some great friendships, learn to hear God's voice more clearly, and, of course, dominate in the fabulous Frisbee golf course!

"It's all for You, I'm letting go, letting go."

42 Things That Might Make You Happy

1. Falling in love.

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.

3. A hot shower.

4. No lines at the grocery store.

5. A special glance.

6. Getting mail.

7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.

8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

9. Lying in bed and listening to the rain outside.

10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.

11. Chocolate milkshake (or vanilla...)

12. A bubble bath.

13. Giggling.

14. A good conversation.

15. The beach.

16. Finding money in your coat from last winter.

17. Laughing at yourself.

18. Midnight phone calls that last forever.

19. Running through sprinklers.

20. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

21. Having someone tell you you're beautiful.

22. Laughing at an inside joke.

23. Friends.

24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

26. Your first kiss.

27. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

28. Playing with a new puppy.

29. Having someone play with your hair.

30. Sweet dreams.

31. Hot chocolate.

32. Road trips with friends.

33. Swinging on swings.

34. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.

35. Making chocolate chip cookies.

36. Holding hands with someone you care about.

37. Running into an old friend and realizing some things never change.

38. Watching the sunrise.

39. Getting out of bed in the morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.

40. Knowing that someone misses you.

41. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.

42. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

What makes you happy?

Psalm 27

Oh the Baldwin Household...

It's summer time in good ol' Idaho.

The lake is refreshing.

The early morning bike rides are happening.

The backpacking training has begun.

The triathlon training has begun.

The school stuff is still not unpacked.

The week is full of having coffee, sleepovers, dessert, or outings with great buds from home.

I've been home for less than a week - I am exhausted. I forgot how go-go-go the Baldwin household is with my sister around. :) She is a motivator and encourager - just sometimes a little too intense for me to handle, though. I'm slowly getting back into the lifestyle I have here at home. It's strange transitioning from living "solo" and being responsible for myself to moving back in with a family where there are sacrifices to make, chores to do, and others to cope with.

I'm learning, again, how to be a part of the family. I am being reminded of all the great things that make home home. Brett's dry humor that only, sometimes, I laugh at; JoAnne's energy to never sit down - that includes her making wonderful meals; my mum's dedication and sacrifices she makes to make this family run how it does; and my dad's understanding and support that I am filled with every day. I couldn't be blessed with a better family - they love me day in and day out despite their frustration or contentment with me.

Nonetheless, I'm a happy puppy at home.

Your Love is Strong

I am currently listening to a playlist titled "Another Frosh Year," compiled of songs that remind me of this year. Jon Foreman's "Your Love is Strong" just came on.

I'm sitting in Gwinn, our school cafeteria, and reminiscing memories from these past 9 months. It's been a complete whirlwind. I cannot believe how fast it all went - I remember having my dad tell me that as we get older time goes faster and faster. He couldn't have been more right.

The service yesterday at Mars Hill was a great way to end the school year. Not only was it a blessing, once again, to attend church with some close friends of mine, but also enjoy the time in fellowship before heading out for 4 months of summer. I vividly remember singing "My God, My Father" with my parents at my side the first weekend of school back in September - sure enough, this song was one of the many great ones we sang yesterday. Being at Mars with friends and thinking back to how far I've come this year was incredible!

I have been so, so blessed this year. It's been a wonderful start to an amazing college career! As much as I am looking forward to the summer, I know September will bring joyous reunions and Seattle will be a place I am excited to come back to.

Summer, anyone?

A typical summer day in the life of Jenica Baldwin:

~~~~~

Wake up before the sun rises for an early morning bike ride around the lake. Get back an hour and a half later after 25 miles and realizing that it's only 7am and I still have the whole day in front of me.

If it's not a bike riding morning, I head down to the dock with JoAnne and my mum and jump on the boat to seek out the glassiest water in Hayden Lake for some morning slalom water skiing. Our Mastercraft's boat heater is my favorite perk.

Now that I've seized the day, it's time to realx, read, make collages, bake, watercolor paint, take Millie to the park, eat lunch out on the deck, soak up more sun, train for the triathlon, play ultimate Frisbee, or cook.

In the afternoon, we await mom's arrival back home after work and head down to the country club for a 9-hole game of golf or a family tennis match. Either way, we absolutely love the time that the five of us get to spend together.

If the weather permits, we take our dinner out on the boat & grab some games on the way for an evening out on the lake. If my buds are over, we grab the graham crackers, marshmallows, Hershey chocolate, blankets, newspaper, and matches and head down to the cabana deck for a late night bonfire - which always ends up going a lot later than we planned, but it totally okay because the night lasts forever with the best conversations.

If the weather calls for a thunderstorm, then I scream for joy and watch the lightning strike down on the lake and watch the June hail destroy my mom's potted plants. With the storm going on outside, we prepare for a Baldwin family ping-pong and pool round robin tournament.

Summer livin' at the Baldwin household is something I'm very much looking forward to.

Indy 500 in Your Head

Psalm 139.14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

As I was sitting in my managerial communications class on Thursday, we were watching a clip about the mirror neurons in our brain and how they work. To sum it up, my professor said, "There's an Indy 500 goin' on in your head every second of the day." I had heard it before, but this time was different. How incredible is that? There are so many things that have to go perfectly right in order for us, as humans, to function properly.

Later that day, I was riding the bus back from a downtown adventure. I love going downtown Seattle for many reasons, but mostly to people watch. There are so many people in this world. It was on the bus that I looked around at everyone to realize that there's an Indy 500 goin' on in their head. Add about 7.5 billion more people and that's the entire world!! Unbelievable!

The best part: God made each of us fearfully and wonderfully. Every single one of us.

Watch this video to get a little jist of just how many people there are...

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

GO WAVES: Class of 2010

My sister, JoAnne, is a part of the Pepperdine University Class of 2010 making her one of the 756 (I counted) new alumni. I had the chance to fly down this past weekend to Malibu, California for the last visit to Pepperdine's beautiful campus and watch JoAnne not only walk across the stage to receive her empty diploma holder, but to receive 2 awards in the International Studies & Language Division at Seaver College for her outstanding work and accomplishments in the past four years. What a stud!

Feelings throughout the weekend were definitely bittersweet. Graduation from college is a HUGE event! Excitement: celebrating Jo's college career and all her hard work, eating lots of great food, seeing all of her friends who treat me like a little sister, spending time with my wonderful family. Sadness: watching JoAnne say goodbye to her friends not knowing when she would see some of them again, putting this little unit of her life to a close and forever planning to hold it close to her heart, being in such an encouraging place for the weekend and being touched by the people she knows for even the short time I was there.

Of all the professors, friends, interns at church, the gals in her bible study, there was not one person who didn't rave about her leadership, amazing serving spirit, her love for the outdoors, or her natural way of ministering to those around her because of her radiating love for the Lord. I have an awesome sister!

"The thing about the iceberg is..."

I just finished watching Big Fish in my UCOR class. The movie is filled with crazy cinematography and the fiction story after fiction story is told about his time growing up by the father, Edward. Throughout the movie, the father/son relationship between the two is a struggle. The son gets so fed up with hearing the same stories over and over again that they get so old that he can barely carry on a conversation with his father.

By the end of the movie, the roles have switched. The father asks his son to tell him "how he goes." This part was my favorite part of the movie. The son carries his father down to the river in the last minutes of his life. Along side the path down to the river stands everyone who has been in his life at some point or another. "Everybody's there, and I mean everybody. And the strange thins is, there's not a sad face to be found, everyone's just so happy to see you." What a cool way to go - be able to wave goodbye to everyone who has been a part of your life and who has made a significant impact.

I had the awesome opportunity to attend a worship service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church here in Seattle better known as compline for the first time this past Sunday. Wow. To begin, the church was beautiful. Walking into the place, I was reminded of all the children of God and that this is just one place that they can come to gather and worship. It was such a cool environment to be in for the short 1/2 hour I was. The choir of older men filled up the church with their beautiful voices. I thought, "Wow, this is what Heaven's going to be like. Complete serenity."

Surprised by Joy

Today was my first Easter not being at home in 18 years.

But what an encouraging Easter Sunday it was.

The Baldwin Family tradition calls for an early sunrise service. Therefore, I attended a 630am service down by the canal at the bottom of campus. What a better way to start off a day than singing "Oh Happy Day" and in fellowship with friends.

Next stop, Mars Hill Church. Resurrection party with Red Letter!

"Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen! And my soul knows sweet salvation!"

One fact, in particular, came to my friend, Steph, and I's attention today after attending three church services. After Jesus rose from the dead, he reappeared and disappeared over the course of 40 days in full flesh to the people of Jerusalem. In many accounts in the gospels, it is said that he laughs, eats, and preaches (all human characteristics) with his disciples to show them how true and alive He is in their lives and how he would fulfill his promise to rise again in three days.

One passage that was highlighted today was John 20, where Jesus appears to seven disciples when they are fishing, and they cannot catch anything, but Jesus gives instructions from the shore to throw their nets out on the right side of the boat. In doing so, the disciples catch so many fish that they have a difficult time pulling in the catch. In flesh, Jesus encourages by appearing so real and alive to the disciples.

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."

-- 1 Corinthians 15.17

Jesus Christ's resurrection is the basis of our faith. If Jesus never rose from the dead, we would not be alive today. But because of God's gift of His Son to die for our sins past, present, and future, we have the gift of life because of his sacrifice. The greatest sacrifice in the world.

S.M. Lockridge says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo