religion

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

“But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” -Matthew 28:5-6

The past month I’ve spent a lot of time in cemeteries. Over spring break I helped clean a cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee and today I visited my grandma’s grave with my family after church.

As a kid cemeteries scared me, but as I’ve grown older and my walk with Christ has strengthened they aren’t as intimidating. Actually, I don’t fear them at all. Why? Because of an empty tomb. Death was conquered by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t have to fear death (or cemeteries) because Jesus conquered death by death.

The first place I visited after my birth was the nursing home to see my grandma and until December 11, 1998 I went to the nursing home every Sunday after church with my grandpa. I have never heard the sound of my grandma’s voice (she had a stroke before I was born), but as I laid next to her in bed — and played with the pets the nurses would let me sneak in… they were wrapped around my finger 😉 — my grandpa would read to her from a daily devotional book handed out at church. She may not have been able to verbalize her thoughts, but from her expressions I could tell every word was sinking in. I have no doubt her soul has found its eternal resting place in Heaven.

Today in the cemetery those beautiful memories from my childhood flooded my mind and caused tears to form. Here’s the cool thing, they weren’t tears of sadness, but of joy!

“For this day of victory makes everyday a gift” was printed in today’s church bulletin and has stuck with me. Christ’s victory over death for our salvation is the most amazing gift and it keeps on giving. Each day I get to wake up and live for the glory of the One who gave it all for me. These gifts from God are a scandal that I keep receiving abundantly. I deserve to burn, but He chose the nails. As I reflect on the meaning of Easter I have realized part of death losing it’s sting is that when my time on earth comes to a close I’m not only going to spend eternity in the presence of my mighty and loving God (which is going to be totally awesome…I’ve heard there ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost party cause a Holy Ghost party don’t stop, WHAT!), but that for the first time in my existence I will hear the sound of my grandma’s voice as she sings praises to our King. I won’t only hear her voice, I will hear her sing. What a gift.

As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection today I pray we don’t undervalue the free gift given to us at the cross and those God continues to bless us with everyday.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Happy Resurrection Day,

Meredith

“Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?” -1 Corinthians 15:55

Mission to Memphis: Day 1

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20:26-28

12 hours in a van…who’s pumped? THIS GIRL!!!

I’m headed to Memphis, TN right now to serve our awesome Lord with 14 of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ve been anticipating this trip since October when I said “yes” to God’s call. For those of us who have ever questioned God’s plan for our lives, I can confirm the Big Man upstairs definitely knows what He is doing. This trip is a complete and utter blessing as its door opened up during a rough season of life where James 1:2-4 was getting me through the day. Just another example of how He provides! When God closes one door he opens another.

As of now, our itinerary isn’t set. At least two of our projects will include sharing the Gospel at a university and cleaning up a graveyard that was used as a prostitution site. Whatever other jobs are thrown our way, I have no doubt God’s will WILL be done! I’m just excited for the opportunity to share what God has done in my life and to be His hands and feet. Every chance I get to serve, I’m in awe of God’s ability to use a sinner like me for His glory – His grace is seriously overwhelming! My prayer is that as the week progresses maybe, just maybe, the love our group shows to those we’re serving will plant a seed for God to grow! 🙂

Grace and Peace,

Mer 🙂

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” -Matthew 28:18-20

Meet Mark, Jenny, and Kiera – three of my awesome siblings in Christ that I’ll be serving with this week in Memphis!

Jesus: The Ultimate Valentine

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16

It’s Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air, flowers are being delivered and bellies are growing from a plethora of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, all of which have become symbols of Hallmark’s biggest holiday.  Despite receiving a cookie from my coach after 6am practice (Happy Valentine’s Day!) and a bag of M&M’s from my professor – I know, pretty good haul 😉 – it hit me hard this morning that the greatest Valentine’s gift doesn’t come in a heart shaped box. In fact, the best gift I’ve ever received came in the form of a blood stained cross (has Hallmark sold one of those lately?).

Despite my opinion that we should show love daily, Valentine’s is meant to be a “special day” centered around showing affection towards the ones you love most.  As a Christian the greatest act of love I’ve ever felt was that fateful day when my sinless Savior was tortured and hung on a cross for every sin I’ve ever committed or will commit.  Chick-flicks – my favorite movie genre (Yep, definitely going to see The Vow tonight with my lovely FCA ladies) – constantly emphasize loving someone enough to take a bullet for them and that is exactly what Jesus did for us.  He was sinless, yet suffered the most shameful death of His time to save our lives (I’d just like to take a moment to emphasize He died for us WAY before we were even thought of on this earth – pretty awesome, right?)…now that is true love.

I’m going to pose a challenge for today: Don’t dwell on the gifts you receive or your relationship status. Instead, bask in the love of Christ, keeping your eyes focused on what is eternal.  After all, Jesus doesn’t give us gifts that will wilt or be devoured in a few days (or in my case, minutes) – He gives us everlasting life! 🙂

Praying you are overwhelmed by Christ’s unconditional love,

-Mer

“We love because he first loved us.” -1 John 4:19

Oh and my favorite artist, Jimmy Needham, released his latest single on iTunes today! Check it out when you get the chance! “If I Ever Needed Grace” -Jimmy Needham