I Was The Reason Jesus Suffered

January 31, 2017January 30, 2017 RefreshHer2 Comments

judgment-hall

About eight years ago, I got the call most citizens dread – Jury Duty. Not only was I called in for my turn to serve, I happened to be called in to serve on the Grand Jury. I wasn’t really sure what my responsibilities would be, but they definitely let us know when we reported in.

One item on our “To-Do” list was to tour the local prisons. It was pretty creepy, to be honest. Being stared at by inmates wearing orange jumpsuits was a bit unnerving. But I also realized that our jails are pretty “cushy” in comparison to years ago. With basketball courts and televisions, I was surprised at what luxuries they really had.

When you visit the Holy Land and walk in the steps of Christ as He was on the way to Calvary to die for the sins of the world, you are shown the judgment halls where He was questioned and tried -nothing like the prison cells I visited! Even these preliminary places were dismal and frightening.

After His trial, He was taken to Caiaphas’ house where there were cells underground.

No light.

Dampness.

Filth.

Cold.

Solitude.

Here He was beaten and left alone. Matthew 25:56 reminds us that Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

While our group was down in this cell, we sang,

Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

2 Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

3 Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

4 He was lifted up to die;
“It is finished” was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

5 When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

To stand and try to sing that song through the emotion of all Christ did for us, was overwhelming, to say the least. I watched as one man standing near me buried his face in his hands and wept, unashamedly. I think we all did. It was so much to take in that Christ endured THIS and much more for me – no, because of me!

I wiped my tears, and we headed out of that cold, damp cell. I stepped up and out into…

the beautiful, warm sunshine! The picture above was my immediate view. A rose. I wept again. I was going free. I was in the warmth of sunshine. I could see the beauty of this creation – His creation. But Jesus, the Rose of Sharon, chose to suffer. He chose to allow the soldiers to beat Him. He chose to lay His life down so that I could be free. Free from sin. Free from death and hell.

What amazing love! What a Savior! How I praise His name.

I’ve shared this before, but I love this song that sums it all up so beautifully…

It would all be for naught if we do not receive His sacrifice for our sins. You must receive His free gift of salvation as the only means to have your sins forgive and to go to heaven. He did it all. He died for you, my friend. He loves you. You, too, were the reason He suffered.

Have you trusted in Christ as your Savior? When was the last time you really considered all He suffered on your behalf? When was the last time you thanked Him, really thanked Him for dying on the cross for you? You’re free if you know Christ; aren’t you GLAD?!

Rejoicing in my Savior,

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(L)Oven Monday – Hot Chicken Salad

January 30, 2017January 29, 2017 RefreshHer4 Comments

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If you thought Chicken Salad only came in the cold variety stuffed onto a piece of bread, I have news for you – there’s a hot chicken salad that is totally a comfort food perfect for winter dinner!

In my hunger for some good ol’ American comfort food after our trip to the Middle East, I pulled out this old recipe last week. It’s one I often made for company because it’s a great do-ahead dish. Southerners love their chicken salad, and this is a hot version! Hot Chicken Salad is the best chicken salad with a cheesy addition. That cannot be a bad thing!

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If you keep roasted chicken breasts in your freezer, you could whip this together in minutes! The potato chip topping is both crunchy and a little salty – a perfect addition to the creamy/cheesy chicken salad underneath! Without further ado, I give you the recipe:

Hot Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast meat, cubed
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar Cheese
2/3 cup crushed potato chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, celery, almonds, salt, pepper, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and cheese. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the crushed potato chips on top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly.

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Add a potato dish and a salad and the meal is complete! It’s a picnic to make, but you’ll be glad you don’t have to wait until picnic season to enjoy this recipe!

With love from my country kitchen,

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home · Husband · Marriage · Refreshment in marriage · tongue · Women's roles

Family Friday – Be Kind!

January 27, 2017January 25, 2017 RefreshHer15 Comments

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Sometimes all it takes is a simple request to repeat what I just said to my husband that will do it. I make a statement, he doesn’t hear and he says,

“What did you say?”

So, out it comes again, only this time it has a razor-sharp edge to it that would make Floyd the barber flinch!

Do I think he purposefully cannot hear me? Do I really believe his diagnosis of hearing loss was an intentional plan just to get under my skin?

How ridiculous, yet, sadly, that’s occasionally how I respond!

Why is it often easier to be really kind to people we barely even know than to our spouse? He’s the one to whom we pledged to love until death, yet we kill him with our sarcastic responses, glaring looks and deathly silences.

There are kinder, nice ways of saying something and there are words or tones of voice that I could use that would upset someone. Your husband is a person, too. There are kinder, nicer ways of communicating with him and there are ways of setting him off, just by your choice of words or tone of voice.

Today’s encouragement for your family, your marriage, is just this –

Be Kind.

There are two ways to say something. Choose the kinder way.
Show him even greater kindness than you would a friend who you love dearly.
Smile at him.
Forgive him.
Listen.
Look in his eyes when he speaks.
Lend him a hand.
Do a favor.
Oh, and repeat yourself with the softest tone when he cannot hear you (said Denise to herself!)

Do you find yourself being kinder to others than you are your spouse? What will you do today to fix that?

Denise Signature 150 px

Christian Life · God's character · Godly Character Traits · trials

Jesus Sees You

January 26, 2017January 24, 2017 RefreshHer6 Comments

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The picture above is Mt. Arbel in Israel. We had the privilege to drive up most of the way, then hike up to a high point when we were there recently. As you can see, the views are incredible. As I stood looking out towards the Sea of Galilee, my mind went to the passage in Mark 6 –

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

⁴⁶And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

⁴⁷And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

We don’t know what mountain Jesus went to to pray, but it could have been this one. I pictured Jesus coming up to a place like this to talk to His Father, perhaps about the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 that had just taken place, and then also praying for the disciples, who were at that time out in the boat, getting ready to encounter a storm.

No matter if it was this mountain or another, Jesus could see them because He is God. He knew they were rowing as it says in verse 48 –

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:

Last week when I was on Mt. Arbel, I could see the water, but it was too far away for me to see people and they certainly couldn’t see me. When the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee, they couldn’t see Jesus. I wonder if they asked themselves where Jesus was? Did anyone say, “Why didn’t He come with us?!” It doesn’t matter, because

He saw them.

He cared about their storm.

He came near.

When He came, He revealed Himself as Who He was – the One who had power over the storm. He was the only One that could help them and He did, at just the right moment.

Do you feel today as though you’re in a storm-tossed boat? Are you wondering where Jesus is? Are you wondering if He’s forgotten you? He hasn’t! He cannot! He is God. He sees, He cares, and He is nearer than you even understand.

And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

⁵¹And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure…

Jesus comforted the disciples with His voice. He encouraged them by telling them He was there. You have His Word on it too – Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. See also Isaiah 43:2 – Joshua 1:9.

The world and your flesh may say that Jesus doesn’t care, but you must turn a deaf ear, and listen to the Truth of His Word instead.

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Acknowledge His presence and watch to see what He will do as the God Who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above what you may ask or think.

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Traveling

Staying Organized On a Trip

January 25, 2017January 22, 2017 RefreshHer6 Comments

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Digging through a suitcase looking for a belt, or your facial wipes, or your contact case is not the way to end a long day of travel! When I began packing for Israel, I carefully loaded my carry-on and my one large suitcase so that I would be able to find everything easily and so that everything would be ready to use and wear. I never had to search or dig for one thing the whole time I was gone! Here’s how I did it:

I packed minimally. Not that I didn’t have a full suitcase – I did, but I had clothes that would coordinate and I could wear the tops and pants interchangeably.
Before I packed, I laid the outfits on my bed and took pictures of them so I could get dressed quickly each day. All I had to do was look at my photos and I knew what I needed to pull out of the suitcase.
After packing, I made an inventory list of each item and exactly where it was located. For example, Front Zipper of Large suitcase – Leopard shoes, Face wipes.

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Then to stay organized on the plane ride, I had a medium sized drawstring bag in my carry-on. After going through security, I filled that bag with what I needed for the night flight. I put in these items:

Glasses
Contact Solution and case
Makeup bag with a little makeup and some meds
Comb
Toothbrush
Hair spray
Ear buds and Ipod
Flannel Scarf (used as a blanket)
Small flashlight
Snacks

This bag was tucked into the pocket of the plane seat, right in front of me. It made getting to those items very simple.

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Extra Packing Tips:

To keep clothes fresh in the suitcase, put a couple of dryer sheets in-between the clothes. During the second week when I reached that part of my clothing, they smelled sooooo good! This was a really great tip!
If you have room, tuck in a small blanket from home. Being in another country for 12 days can make you feel a bit homesick, but having a comfort from home like a soft blanket, is a blessing! Sometimes the heavy comforters on the bed was too much, and my blanket was just what I needed, both in weight and for the touch of comfort from home!
Packing cubes are great, but I didn’t want to make that investment. Instead, I put all my tops into a canvas bag, then put that bag in the suitcase. When I needed a top, it was easy to just pull out that bag and get one out without disturbing the whole suitcase.
Put everything back where it goes when you are finished with it. Don’t assume you’ll remember where you put it! Take the time to follow your inventory and return it where it came from!

I haven’t always been able to say that I never lost an item or couldn’t find something I needed while on my trip…until this time! I did lots of researching and reading before we left, so I could enjoy the trip without the frustration of tearing the suitcase apart looking for something!

I hope this helps you to be more organized the next time you travel!

Tell me what you do to keep yourself sane on a trip!

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