Encouraging Deep Roots

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-45 ~ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eye...

Scripture Reading: John 18:1 ~  After Jesus had said these things, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and He and His disciples went into it. Psalm 23:4 ~  Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me. Reflection: The Kidron Valley is a place just outside of Jerusalem, in between the city and the Mount of Olives. The name Kidron is either a reference to the “darkness” or “murkiness” of the water that periodically flows in that place or to the cedars that grow in that area. But it is also a place that is associated with sorrow, judgment, and death in the Bible. The Kidron Valley was a place where King Josiah, King Asa and King Hezekiah all disposed of idols that the people were worshiping (1 Kings 15, 2 Kings 23, and 2 Chronicles 29 and 30). The idols were burned in the fields of the Kidron Valley. When David fled Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion, he...

Psalm 73:28 ~ But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord  God  my refuge, so I can tell about all You do. I fell exhausted into bed last night. I had an over-the-top busy, and yet, wonderful day. It started with breakfast followed by a children's moment in the service, a "hosanna" parade, children's church and then an Easter egg hunt following the service. I didn't really want to do it, but made myself go for a two mile walk yesterday afternoon so I could get some exercise in.  There have been so many wonderful things happening lately, but I was reminded once again as I lay in bed reflecting that the only thing that really matters is coming into God's presence. That is the reason I can enjoy any of the things I experience in my life and it is also the reason I can be okay when difficulties arise.  When all of our activity, wonderful moments and accomplishments are stripped away, can we still say God is enough? I believe that to be true. Tho...

Matthew 21:6-11 ~ The disciples went and did just as Jesus directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their robes on them, and He sat on them. A very large crowd spread their robes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of Him and those who followed kept shouting: Hosanna to the Son of David! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One! Hosanna in the highest heaven! When He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds kept saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!” The Unexpected King By Terri Groh Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed be the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Here comes the expectant King, riding towards Jerusalem, not with sword As was thought. Not on horse, tall and proud. But on a young beast of burden, before the expectant crowd. They shouted and through the streets the men, women and children ran,...

We are entering into Holy Week and the events that lead up to the death of Christ. One of my favorite celebrations is the celebration of Palm Sunday.  I love the symbolism of this event and enjoy celebrating it. As I was reading this morning and looking at this passage of Scripture again, something new struck me. Mark 11:7-11 ~  The disciples brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it. Many people spread their clothes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven! He went into Jerusalem and into the temple. After looking around at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. Jesus enters into Jerusalem on a young and borrowed donkey that no one had ever ridden. It was untamed and yet, willingly submitted...

My heart is full this morning as I sit here and reflect. I am also very humbled and honored with some recent happenings in my life. Normally, life bumps along and there are good days and not so good days. But overall, it's not really that exciting. I'm an average woman doing average things and mostly, enjoying my life.  But every now and then, God blesses me in a way that takes my breath away.  The first way this has happened in the past couple of weeks is that my new book, Fostering a Positive Ministry Environment, was accepted into a marketing bundle called, A Year of Expanded Grace. That will go live on March 31st and for one week my book and video overview of it will be free, along with other leadership resources. I'll share the link here when that happens. You can find the details on the link at the top of my blog under resources.  I am leading a webinar on this on April 28th and the book is also being translated into Spanish, French and Portuguese and distributed to...