"Rabboni!"

Holy Week: “Rabboni!” 
                     

“Rabboni!” was Mary’s response when she realized it was her Friend, her Teacher, her Lord, who stood before her—ALIVE! 


In my previous Holy Week blog posts Jesus was joyously welcomed into Jerusalem; He shook things up at the Temple; He blessed children and healed afflicted; He taught about love; we saw the last supper, anguish in Gethsemane, and arrest; we witnessed His crucifixion and burial; now today, we see our risen King!


I hope you will read the accounts of the resurrection of Jesus from all four of the Gospel writers. In my book, The Lord has Need of YOU, I focused on John’s perspective, found in the twentieth chapter of the Gospel of John. 


I tell it like this:


Before the sun came up on the morning of the third day, Jesus’ friend, Mary Magdalene, went to His tomb. She was shocked to see that the stone had been rolled away, leaving the burial place wide open.


She ran and told Peter and John. They pushed into the tomb to find the Lord’s face cloth and linen burial cloth neatly folded. But there was no sign of Jesus’ body. Dragging their feet, the men left and went home.


Mary was left alone. She stood sobbing and looking into the tomb where her Lord had lain.


She could not stop the tears from flowing.


Something or someone was coming into focus. There before her were two bright shining angels—one at the head and the other at the foot, where the body of Jesus had been.


One spoke up and said, “Woman, why are you weeping?”


She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”


She then turned and saw someone she thought was a gardener. The man spoke: “Why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?”

Still not recognizing Him, she said, “Sir, if you’ve taken Him away, please tell me.”

He looked her in the eye and said, “Mary!”

Then she knew! She knew that her friend—her Savior—was standing there—ALIVE!

Thrilled with surprise, she dropped to the ground at His feet and proclaimed, ‘Rabboni!’ which means teacher.

 

“Do not hold on to me for I have not yet ascended to My Father. Go and tell My brethren.”

Later that same day, as the disciples gathered together, Jesus appeared and stood among them. …

He showed them the wounds on His hands and feet and then said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”



He then breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”



“Go into all the world and preach this Good News to everyone—that all who believe in Me will be saved.”



For several days Jesus appeared to many people throughout the city, so there were lots of people who knew for certain, Jesus was alive!

The big question today is this, “Is Jesus alive to you?” 


In these chaotic days we’re living in, we need life, hope, and peace. Jesus is the only One who can give these things, in a meaning and lasting way.

He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 ESV).  


Jesus is alive and I pray He’s alive you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please read my blog post tomorrow and see the very last event to this day of our risen Lord on this earth.


At the beginning of this week I encouraged you to read, in your Bible, about the last days of Jesus’ life. A lot happened in those few days. Begin your reading at these points: 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’m posting a few highlights from those amazing days in history. Also, I’m using some of the pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU.* The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


Thank you for traveling with me through these extraordinary days. God bless you. 


Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*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

Each one did his part.

Each one did his part.                               



“Give it all you’ve got,” were the words of Coach Heather just before her boy’s relay team walked to the starting block mounted above the pool. She didn’t tell them that the results of their race could push their school’s team into the number one spot for the championship—or that it could keep them in second place. The boys were unaware of the updated point calculation.


The outcome of the Boys Class Two VHSL (Virginia High School League) State Championship is about points—not so much about the number of 1^st place metals. The Radford Boys Swimming and Diving team had won only one first place metal during the entire meet. But along the way their swimmers and divers had individually accrued points—32 points here, 9 points there, 1 point yonder, and so on. Competitors are awarded points according to where they finish in the top spots in each race of the finals. The points add up and EVERY POINT COUNTS. 


Naturally, everyone wants to win their race but only one person gets that first-place metal. Coach Wohlford, known as “Major” by his swimmers and students, is a numbers man. Throughout the season he emphasized, “You may not win your race but swim your best every time. You may still win points for the team.”

The definition of team is “a group of individuals working together to achieve their goal. Teams normally have members with complementary skills and generate synergy through a coordinated effort which allows each member to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.” *

It was the final race of the day. The four Radford Bobcats on the relay team approached the starting block not knowing the point count showed them trailing their main competitor by three points. 


The blast sounded and eight swimmers, one from each team, dove into the water. Back and forth across the pool—each of the four boys from each team swam his assigned stroke—for a total of eight laps, fifty yards apiece. 


In the last twenty-five yards of the very last lap an amazing thing happened. Seemingly from nowhere, in the far lane, a swimmer raced past the one from the school sitting in the number one spot. 


Our boys did not win the race but landed in second place. Our top competitor landed in fifth place. Points were awarded and the overall top two teams switched places, putting our team at the top. The Radford Bobcat boys won the Class Two State Championship by one point!


Every point counts! Every effort by every team member is important and each one did his part!


In life, every time we do the right thing counts. Every time we obey God and honor Him with our thoughts, words, and actions counts. We don’t always come in first place. Some may never come in first place. But our efforts and accomplishments for the Kingdom of God are cumulative. Some till the soil, some plant seeds; some water; and some reap the harvest. It is God who makes it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)  

Photo from Unsplash, by Elizabeth Lies

Let’s each do our part every time. Every right decision, good deed, kind remark, smile, holding of the tongue, and positive witness, counts in the economy of God. He is ultimately responsible for the results. Besides that, He is the rewarder of prizes. (Hebrews 11:6) 

Radford Bobcat Swimming & Diving Boys Team - Class 2 State Champs 

When we attempt to share the Gospel with someone but are shut down, we shouldn’t be discouraged. Sure, it’s disappointing. We want others, especially those we love, to be the recipients of God’s abundant life and most of all, His gift of Eternal Life. We can continue to pray for them and trust the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts. 
Also, we can trust God to send another person to water the seed we’ve sown. It might need to be watered several times, as well as its soil tilled, and Sonshine radiated on it. 


Let’s each one do our part. 

And PS: I must tell you that Coach Wohlford is our son and two of the swimmers are our grandsons. (I need to clarify that our grandsons were not in that specific relay foursome in this story, but in another one.)

*Wikipedia online dictionary

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Fill Your New Year With Optimism Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 3

Fill Your New Year With Optimism

Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 3

Today’s post concludes my blog series about the seven strategies for attaining optimism. I’m talking about truth-filled hope and an outlook ordained by God that every follower of Jesus can and should attain. 

My previous two posts looked at the first five of the Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism: 1- Let go of the past. 2- Avoid getting hung up on a negative thing or situation. 3- Remember that, for everyone, life has ups and downs. 4- Watch your mouth. 5- Practice gratitude.

Today we’ll consider the last two:

6-  Surround yourself with truth –people, places, things.

Speaking of “fake news”—it doesn’t just exist in politics. We’re surrounded by half-truths, misleading information, exaggerated stories, and our own imaginations. These untruths can flood our minds with worry and wild ideas capable of pulling us down and filling us with stress.

“My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened,” declared Michel de Montaigne, about 500 years ago. Many of us could say the same ting today.

Photo by Aaron Burden from Unsplash

Experts report that 85%, and some 99%, of things people worry about never really happen. Pause for a moment and consider your own thought life. What thoughts occupy your mind that are not based on facts? 

Where does your imagination wander that does not lift your spirits?

I recommend we draw our thoughts into the truth of God’s Word. There we find the reality our Creator wants us to base our lives upon.

Paul tells us why: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 JKJV).

We need to allow His truth to be a lamp to the feet of our thoughts and a light for the paths we tread in our minds.

Do you believe God and His Word? The psalmist did when he wrote, “The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgements endures forever” (Psalm 119:160 NKJV).

Before His crucifixion, Jesus knew his followers had to have God’s truth and prayed to the Father: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17 NKJV). Sanctify meant to set apart. This is huge! God’s truth sets us apart from the world. It’s knowing and living by God’s truth that sets us apart from the world. We’re of another kingdom—God’s Eternal Kingdom.

So, we should look for truth in everything that crosses our paths—people, places, and things.

The better we know God and His Word, the closer will be our relationship with Him. The closer our relationship with Him, the clearer we’ll hear His voice. The clearer we hear His voice, the keener will be our sense of discernment. The keener our sense of discernment, the better will be our ability to know truth when we encounter it—in people, places, and things.

As we surround ourselves with what is right and true, the optimism that fills us will overflow to others. 

7- Remember that God will have His way in the end.

I believe we all get pretty frustrated and angry when we witness injustices, acts of violence, and tragedy. We often feel helpless and forlorn as streaming news broadcasts the horrors of abused children, terrorist acts, natural disasters, and the like.

The tsunami of bad news can bring us into a free fall of pessimism and anxiety. There are many scientific studies focusing on the affects of negative hews and experiences on a person’s well-being. But there is no way to escape bad things.

We need to continually remind ourselves that God knows, God cares, and God loves us with unfailing, unconditional love. As Christ-followers, we have an internal hope that’s like a pilot light.

A pilot light is “a small gas flame … which serves as an ignition source for a more powerful gas burner” (Wikipedia). This pilot light hope never goes out and is always there to ignite the burner that causes hope to rise up and come against a negative event.

When David was greatly distressed because all seemed lost and his men turned against him, he “encouraged himself in the Lord” because he knew his God and within him burned that flicker of hope. That pilot light of internal hope ignited the burner that caused faith and hope to rise up in his spirit (1 Samuel 30:6).

Like David, when life beats up on us and when the world appears to be going in the wrong direction we need to listen to the Holy Spirit and allow our internal hope to ignite the full flame of knowing God will have His way ultimately.

Yes, we may go through some discomfort and heartache along the way. I repeat Jesus words: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). We who are in Christ—those born-again—will be partakers of the awesome Eternal Kingdom He has waiting for us. All hardships and evil will pass away and a glorious future with our Lord and Savior Jesus awaits us.

Just now I read, in its entirety, Revelation 19-22 and was reminded that God will have His way in the end.

Revelation 19 begins, “After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude on heaven, saying ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgements, because…’” (Verses 1-2a).

“Then I saw and angel coming down from heaven and a new earth … And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new …’” (Revelation 21:1a and 4-5).

Rejoice with me in the final passage of God’s Word, “He (Jesus) who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” Revelation 22:20-21).

Let’s be encouraged by the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and allow optimism to rise up so the world will see Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

 

Every time I read the back of His book I’m blown away by the Ancient of Days—His goodness and greatness—His amazing grace and unfailing love—His breathtaking holiness and perfect justice. In reading these Passages, we’re reminded of God’s cosmic beyond-our-imagination plan. Our God is truly an awesome God. 

I would like to challenge each of us to follow the seven strategies for attaining optimism.  We must remember the bottom line is that ultimately God will have His way and He takes care of His family in the process.

 

Let’s pray: Holy Father, thank You for the hope that resides in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Please help me to be mindful of the reasons I can be optimistic. And help me encourage others as well. I know that with Your Spirit in me, I can beam with optimism even in tough times and be a light in darkness because of Your unfailing love. Thank You, Father. In Jesus name—Amen. 

 

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford

The December Gospel of Luke Challenge —Looking at Luke Look at Jesus

The December Gospel of Luke Challenge                    

      —Looking at Luke Look at Jesus

How much do you know about Jesus?—His infancy?—His life and ministry?

Through the month of December, lets journey with Luke through the life of Jesus. We typically focus on His birth during this season. This time let’s also focus on why His birth is significant. 

Connie Wohlford Photo

As a physician, Luke was all about meticulous detail. His Gospel corroborates with many aspects of the other Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John. It also tells about additional events of Jesus life, including His infancy.

Luke substantiates the accuracy of his work with four explanations: 1- his concern with early origins—with priority given to eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:2);  2- his goal to be comprehensive—he says, “all things” (1:3);  3- his chronological telling, “an orderly account” (1:3);  4- his desire for accuracy—“the certainty” (1:4).

“In achieving his purpose, Luke traces in his two volumes (Luke and Acts) the Christian movement from its beginnings with Jesus of Nazareth to its development into a worldwide fellowship transcending the limits of Jewish nationality and embracing Jews and Gentiles impartially. Luke presents Jesus not as a mere Jewish Messiah, but as a world Savior.” *  

So I issue to you and to me the Gospel of Luke Challenge. 

There are twenty four chapters in The Gospel of Luke. 

The challenge is this, each day between December 1 and December 24:

(1) Pray, thanking God for Jesus and His Word.

(2) Read a chapter each day. Chapter 1 will be read on Dec. 1 Chapter 2 will be read on Dec. 2 and so on.

(3) Write in a journal or tablet specific highlights that stand out to you in the day’s reading.

That’s it. Learn Jesus. Travel with me through Luke’s account of the life and ministry of our Lord—our Savior, Messiah, King.

By the time we get to Christmas Eve, we will wholeheartedly praise God with the angels and declare, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

We might even realize that this 10-15 minute block of time each day was some of the best use of our very valuable time during the Christmas season. 

We might even want to repeat the process every year from now on, working our way through the other Gospels as well. 

As I have time, I'll be posting some of my own journaling highlights as I travel through Luke’s account. I (and others) would enjoy seeing some of your highlights recorded in the comment section. And I’ll post maps and appropriate charts along the way when I can.

Let the challenge begin!

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford

*Spirit Filled Life Bible; Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1991; Introduction to the Gospel of Luke, page 1503.