Rejoice, your King is coming!

Rejoice, your King is coming!                


“Rejoice, greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV).


As Christians, we rejoice in reading the accounts of Jesus riding the foal of a donkey into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. His Triumphal Entry into the city was prophesied by Zechariah, about 400 years before the actual occurrence. Then it is recorded in all four of the Gospels. We can read about it in Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.


My favorite is Matthew’s account: 


“Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them,” and immediately he will send them.’


“All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying; ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’

Illustration by Lesley James in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

“So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Matthew 11:1-9 NKJV).




The people were excited to welcome their Messiah—the promised One. They believed He would deliver them from the terrible oppression of the Roman government. In shouting “Hosanna,” which means “save now” they joyfully anticipated freedom now that this promised descendant of King David had finally arrived.     
             

But Jesus, (Yeshua, in Hebrew), had arrived on the scene to do more—much more. 


Have you ever wondered what the owner of the two donkeys thought when the disciples appeared and started untying them? I have. 


Mark says, “But some of those who stood there said to them, ‘What are you doing loosing the colt?’ And they spoke to then just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go” (Mark 11:5-6 NKJV).  

Illustration by Lesley James in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

Luke says: “But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, ‘Why are you loosing the colt?’ And they said, ‘The Lord has need of him.’ Then they brought him to Jesus” (Luke 19:33-35a NKJV). 



We have no indication that the owner of the donkeys knew Jesus or His disciples. Perhaps he did, but maybe not. That point really doesn’t matter. God was moving His plan along, working through every detail along the way. The disciples simply did as Jesus instructed. Likewise, as we follow through with Jesus’ instructions to us, He will work out details along the way.



Another interesting point about the colt is that he had never been ridden. Vessels and sacrifices used in worship were to be new, flawless, and often “first fruits,” depending on the occasion. The little donkey here had not been previously used (ridden) and was himself carried the Sacrifice.  

Illustration by Lesley James in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

As we begin Holy Week today with Jesus Triumphal Entry, I encourage you to read in your Bible about the last few days of Jesus’ life. Here is where this phase of Jesus’ time on earth begins. Quite a bit happens in this one week, as you will see, starting here: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus.  





Each day this week, I plan to post highlights from those amazing few days in history. Also, I will use some of the pictures from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU*. These illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James.



*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0


©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

New Easter Book –

New Easter Book –

With Easter right around the corner, I hope you’ll take a look at my new book.


I like to call this special day “Resurrection Day.”

Whichever way you like it, are you looking for an Easter book—one that tells the true story of Resurrection Day? Would you like a book about the real reason the occasion is celebrated all around the world?

My latest book titled, The Lord Has Need of You, is just that. 

Though it is categorized a children’s book, many adults get it for themselves. They are enthralled by the beautiful art and love the way the story is shared through the eyes of two loveable donkeys.






Here are a few details:


- The exciting opening scene sets the stage for immediately getting acquainted with the characters and the nature of Jesus.

Jesus enters Jerusalem - Palm Sunday

- Next you walk through the last few days of Jesus’ life on Earth, beginning with His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday); He blesses children (one of my favorite pictures in the book), teaches and heals folks; you’ll witness His death, burial, and resurrection; it ends with His ascension back to Heaven.







- The donkeys’ involvement in Jesus entry into Jerusalem is truth, according to Scripture, but the rest of their involvement in The Lord Has Need of You is fictional. They play a delightful role in helping captivate the interest of children. (The mama donkey, Elpis, was the baby donkey in my previous children’s books about Jesus as an infant. Families who have those books will LOVE seeing Elpis’ colt carry Jesus!)

- The full color illustrations by Virginia artist, Lesley James, carry the story along beautifully.

- Redemption is illustrated in easy-to-understand terms.

- The Gospel is clearly stated.

- The epilogue offers encouragement to answer God’s call to serve and gives an opportunity to receive Salvation.

- The book is reasonably priced at just $10.00.

- A free crossword puzzle comes with each book ordered directly from me.

- Also, when ordering from me, (continental U.S. only), I’m happy to sign and personalize your copy if you wish. Just contact me at author@conniewohlford.com. Sales tax for Virginia orders will be added, and a nominal fee is added for shipping.

The book is also available on Amazon. Here’s the link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1687536104/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Book Feature - Joy Comes to Bethlehem

In Keeping with Cyber - Monday, I'd like to feature one of my books, Joy Comes to Bethlehem.

Book description:  
Meet Gil, the donkey whose name, in Hebrew, means "Joy" and her foal named Elpis (pronounced el-peese’), which means "Hope," in Greek. 


Joy Comes to Bethlehem takes the reader along on the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Joseph, Mary and Gil. (Haven’t you sometimes wondered what that trip might have been like?) Experience the sad goodbye of Gil & Elpis as well as danger and drama along the way. See the faithfulness of God and the amazing birth of His Son, Jesus. 

Again read the wonderful story of the birth of The Savior. Enjoy the setting and the perspective of these adorable and faithful beasts of burden. Join with these characters in the joy and hope that is found in God the Father and Jesus the Son. Though this is a children's book, the story and the extraordinary art will be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Cost: $16.99 + .90 sales tax in Virginia
Shipping: $3.00 to anywhere in continental U.S.

To view a slide show of some of the beautiful illustrations, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/connie.wohlford?fref=photo

My books about little Jesus, tell of the three things the Bible tell us that happen to Jesus as an infant. Though they comprise a trilogy, each is a stand alone book. Each book has a parallel donkey story.

The two animal books below tell about a rhinokaroarus, named Gerald. This unique character, beloved of my grandchildren from many bedtime stories, is now stealing the hearts of many other children as well. [Rhinokaroarus is an animal word my father made up many years ago.] 

Joy Comes to Bethlehem is $16.99 and each of the other four books is $10.50, plus tax (in Virginia). Shipping is $3.00 for 1 - 12 books, to anywhere in the continental U.S. 
 
Here are all five of my children's books:

Please email or Facebook message me for more details or to place an order. I'll be happy to sign and personalize books  for you.
Email - author@conniewohlford.com 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ConnieWohlfordAuthor/

©Connie Wohlford 2016

Is a donkey or an elephant of more value than the cross?

Is a donkey or an elephant of more value than the cross?

So have we had enough of political jargon yet? Are we fed up with hacks and hatchets in the realm of US politics? I’m thinkin, “YES!”

Well, it’s almost over and tomorrow is the big day. It’s hard to believe that there really are some folks out there who are yet undecided, so they say. They also say that many Americans are so fed up they don’t even plan to cast a ballot.

So at this point, just a few hours before the poles open, I’d like to throw in my two cents worth.

I approach voting from my personal Christian world view. I like to be as informed as I can, weigh the pros and cons of the candidates and questions on the ballot, PRAY a lot, and go vote at the appointed time.

I believe this is the process by which most other Christians enter the ballot booth.

How do I become informed? 

I listen to and read about the candidates. I listen to the opinions of people whom I admire and respect. I check out the party platforms, although I admit I have not read every single word of either one, I have read parts of each. 

I do all this prayerfully throughout the process and then I pray some more.  

I love my country. I love learning about U.S. history. Just last week my husband and I toured Montpelier, the home of James Madison, who is known as the Father of the U.S. Constitution. We took what they call the “Constitution Tour,” which focuses on the forming of our Constitution. All Americans should learn as much as possible about the founding of our nation. It’s all quite an amazing story. 

Montpelier - Home of James & Dolley Madison

So, back to Election 2016—if you are an American citizen, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote on our nation’s leader. Give it your best shot—and do it prayerfully. We don’t have a perfect candidate because Jesus’ name is not on the ballot.

Don’t consider party loyalty either because neither the elephant nor the donkey is more valuable than the cross of Christ.

On November 9, 2016, do be able to say, “I did my part. I voted.”

May God help us! Your comments are welcome below.

If you want to see more photos from our visit to Montpelier, go to my Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/ConnieWohlfordAuthor/

Republican Party Platform:  https://prod-static-ngop-pbl.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL[1]-ben_1468872234.pdf

Democratic Party Platform: https://www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Democratic-Party-Platform-7.21.16-no-lines.pdf

 

©Connie Wohlford 2016