Garden Tools - Newspaper Pot Maker

My Tomato seedlings are looking great in my homemade newspaper pots.

Garden Tools - Newspaper Pot Maker

Instead of buying and using those little plastic pots to start my seedlings I use this wonderful garden tool that forms a seedling pot out of newspaper.  I have been making my own newspaper pots for almost 2 decades now.

There are 4 positive points for using this type of a pot as opposed to plastic pots:

1.  The roots do not get disturbed because you plant the newspaper pot along with the plant - the newspaper is so thin and decomposes - you don't see any traces of paper that next spring when you are tilling your garden.

2.  You are recycling any newspaper that you might have laying around the house (many newspapers have gone digital but I still have enough paper newspapers in my area for this to work).

3.  The newspaper ink protects the roots from some ground pests (that's the theory from the manufacturer but I think it does help).

4.  You are saving money because you don't have to buy plastic pots.

Below are visual instructions on how to use the "Newspaper Pot Maker" - the pictures are self explanatory.

Paper post are made and filled with potting soil

ENJOY!!

Linked to:

Too Cute Tuesday

Very Merry Vintage Style

Inspired by Felicity

Etcetorize

Along The Pathway

"Then he told them many things in parables, saying:  'A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.' "  Matthew 13: 3 & 4 

"Listen to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is the seed sown along the path."  Matthew 13: 18 & 19

Today is the second of a 5 part series on the "Parable of the Sower."   In this Parable there are 4 different ways to receive the gospel or 4 different sorts of people who come in contact with the gospel.  Above you will notice that the first 2 verses are the description and then in verses 18 & 19 we have the explanation.

The seed is always the same - the gospel is the seed - the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  The soil types are different.  I was going to say that we are the soil but I think that the environment that we are in is the soil.  I believe that we are all part of the plant that grows from that seed......maybe a branch, or a flower, or a leaf.  Together we are all part of that plant which is the family of God.

The Pathway:  The seed scattered in this type of soil is uncovered & unprotected.  There is movement along the pathway and any seed is swept away.  This is the modern way - we are always moving on to next new thing - the newest diet, the newest gadget, the newest phone, the newest supplement ......etc.  We never develop a deep understanding in one area because we are swept away by so called "progress."  This seed doesn't even get a chance to germinate because it is snatched away & eaten by the birds (symbolizing Satan snatching away).

If you notice that you are sowing seed along the pathway - make sure to protect it from the birds.

Parable of the Sower - Part 1 - Introduction
Part 3 - Rocky Places
Part 4 - Among the Thorns
Part 5 - Good Soil

5 Different Dishes From Home-Canned Tomato Sauce

5 Different Dishes From Home-Canned Tomato Sauce

One of the most versatile items in my home-canned pantry is my tomato sauce.  This past fall and winter I have shown you many ways to utilize your fresh garden produce.  If you recall I showed you how to make & can TOMATO SAUCE  and then I shared with you many of my recipes using that  sauce.

Listed below are 5 of my recipes using home-canned tomato sauce (simply click on the title to view the recipe).

ENJOY!!

1.  Garden Preserved Beef Stew

2.  Garden Preserved Chili

3.   Garden Preserved Steamed Spanish Rice

4.  Garden Preserved Minestrone Soup

5.  Rainbow Swiss Chard Pasta

© (2012)

Linked to:
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Stone Gable
52 Mantels
Foodie Friday

The Basics - Sauteed Asparagus

The Basics - Sauteed Asparagus

Sauteed is my favorite way to eat asparagus - as opposed to steamed, boiled or even grilled.  This way of cooking asparagus gives a very thin almost crispy layer to the skin of the asparagus, without making it mushy.  Sauteed with a little olive oil and my trusted cajun spices makes asparagus the highlight of any dinner. 

"Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning" is the cajun spice mix that I use - it is available at Kroger and many other larger grocery stores). 

 I also used "Tony Chachere's" for:

Sweet Potato Cajun Fry

& for

Cajun Kale Potatoes

I picked my asparagus from my garden but the amount that I used is equivalent to a bunch of asparagus that you would buy in the store.  Soak the asparagus in water for about 10 - 15 minutes (especially if you have sandy soil) and then snap the ends off as described in this post: "Preparing Asparagus".  Drain and pat the asparagus dry.  In a large frying pan - saute the asparagus in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat.  Sprinkle the spices on top of the asparagus - to taste (If you don't like cajun then just use garlic salt or sea salt).  Continue sauteeing for about 10 to 15 minutes or until desired color & texture is achieved (I prefer my asparagus a little "al dente"). 

Serve immediately and ENJOY!

Ham, Asparagus & Potato Pancake Stacker

Ham, Asparagus & Potato Pancake Stacker

I created this recipe to use up leftovers after Easter.  I should have scheduled this to be posted earlier - poor post planning on my part.  I used leftover ham, leftover mashed potatoes and then fresh asparagus from my garden - all topped with Hollandaise Sauce.

We ate this for dinner but it can also be a breakfast dish if you desire.  I called the potato layer "Potato Pancakes" but it is more like a potato croquette (a croquette is thicker and more dense than a pancake and it is usually breaded and then fried or sauteed).

IMPORTANT:  To my Gluten Free readers - the only ingredient that is not gluten free is the Hollandaise Sauce.  If you need to stay strictly Gluten free then substitute a homemade lemon cream sauce thickened with cornstarch.

Potato Croquettes (Pancakes) are being formed and then breaded with corn meal.

Printable Recipe

5 or 6 slices of ham (leftover from a previous meal is fine)

freshly picked Asparagus from your garden (or 1 bunch from the store) (wash and cut the bottom ends off or snap them off)

1 packet Hollandaise Sauce mix (prepare as described on the package) (To my Gluten Free readers - I couldn't find a gluten free Hollandaise sauce mix but you could make a lemon cream sauce and thicken it with cornstarch instead of flour).

Potato Croquettes:

5 cups mashed potatoes (leftovers work well)

2 green onions (discard ends and then wash & chop)

1 egg (lightly beaten)

black pepper (to taste)

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed (optional)

1/2 cup corn meal (for breading)

olive oil (2 to 3 tablespoons - for sauteing)

Start by making the croquettes - prepare the ingredients as described above (chop onions & beat egg).  Now mix together the mashed potatoes, green onions, egg, pepper and dill with a fork or with you hands until completely combined.  Form about 5 or 6 croquettes (they should look like a hockey puck) and then bread/coat in cornmeal (see picture above).

Now, either steam the asparagus or saute in a little olive oil.  Also, in a different frying pan (or in the oven) - heat up the ham slices.  Begin sauteing the croquettes while the asparagus is cooking and while the ham is being heated.  Heat up the olive oil in a large pan and place the 5 or 6 potato croquettes in the oil and fry on medium heat for about 7 minutes on each side (or until desired color is achieved) (see picture below). 

The croquettes have finished cooking on both sides

Prepare the Hollandaise Sauce as described on the package.

Finally, time to build your "Stacker."  Place 1 slice of ham on each plate, then 1 croquette on top of the ham and then a few stalks of asparagus.  Serve the Hollandaise Sauce in a gravy boat - that way everyone can add their own sauce.

ENJOY!

Linked to:

Too Cute Tuesday

52 Mantels

Two Sasters

Live Laugh Rowe

The Parable of the Sower

"The disciples came to him and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?'  He replied, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.  Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  This is why I speak to them in parables:
  Though seeing, they do not see;
  though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
     You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
     you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
     For this people's heart has become calloused;
     they hardly hear with their ears, and they have
     closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with
     their eyes, hear with their ears,understand with their
     hearts and turn, and I would heal them.
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.' "  Matthew 13:10-16

Today is the first of a 5 part series on the "Parable of the Sower."  Today I want to talk about parables - What exactly is a parable?
This is taken from "The Eerdmans Bible Commentary":  "A parable was a story to illustrate a spiritual or moral truth.  It was different from an allegory where every detail had to be decoded."
and also "Parables are a pictorial method of evangelism."  I have always loved all of the parables that Jesus told - I am a visual person and parables really work for me - they help me understand God's Word.

The spiritual or moral truth in this Parable - "The Parable of the Sower" is about faith & unbelief.  It's about sharing our faith with others and dealing with the trials and tribulations that come along with that.  We are all part of God's Growing Garden and the types of seeds that we are planting in His garden are:  Grace, Mercy and forgiveness. 

There is an added responsibility for those who understand - we must share this knowledge & understanding with everyone! ("But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear").  Let's try to share God's love with everyone that we meet.

Part 2:  Along the Pathway
Part 3 - Rocky Places
Part 4 - Among the Thorns
Part 5 - Good Soil

Planting My Blackberry Christmas Gift

My Blackberry Christmas Gift - 2 Blackberry plants

Planting My Blackberry Christmas Gift

If you've been following this blog for a while you will recall that I received a newspaper clipping this past Christmas (2011) as a gift - a little piece of paper showing me what was to arrive this spring:

  Miracle Blackberry Bush

Well, they have arrived and it is time for them to be planted in my garden.

The hole has been dug and I placed some of my garden compost in the bottom of the hole. 

1.  Make sure that the nighttime temperatures are above freezing before planting.  Since winter has skipped over southeastern Michigan this year - I was able to plant them only a few days after they arrived in the mail.

2.  I have 2 Blackberry bushes - so the next step is to pick a sunny location in your yard or garden and dig 2 holes about 8 feet apart.  Each hole should be as deep as the roots and a little extra depth for some compost (about 8 or 9 inches deep total).
3.  Place some garden compost in the bottom each hole (about 2 inches depth).
4.  Gently remove the plastic pot and place your plant in each hole and push the remaining topsoil (that you dug away from the hole) into the hole and push the dirt up to the base of the Blackberry cane (or stalk - just above where the roots started) (see picture below).
5.  Now water your Blackberry bush and ENJOY!  (you only have to wait 2 to 3 years before harvest.......patience is the nature of growing fruit).

Blackberry bush planted and watered.

Linked to:

Inspired By Felicity

Snap Cracklin Meatloaf

Snap Cracklin Meatloaf

Yes - you guessed it - Rice Crispies "snapped, crackled and popped" in this Gluten Free Meatloaf.  I think this meatloaf tastes just as good made with Rice Crispies instead of with bread crumbs or oatmeal (and it really does crackle and pop when you are mixing the meat). 

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I use sirloin or lean beef)                    Printable Recipe

2 cups rice crispies (I used brown Rice Crispies but regular Rice Crispies works well also)

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 small onion (peeled & minced)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried basil

black pepper (to taste)

1/2 cup Catsup (Ketchup)

1/2 teaspoon salt

NOTE:  If you need to be strict about being Gluten Free - then make sure that the Catsup (Ketchup) & Worcestershire Sauce are Gluten Free.

In a large mixing bowl - slightly wisk the egg and milk together.  Add the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, catsup, garlic powder, basil, pepper and salt - and stir into the egg/milk until fully combined (I used a wooden spoon but many people use their bare hands - it's up to you) .  Finally stir in the Rice Crispies and the minced onion.  Allow the mixture to rest and soak up all the flavors for about 5 minutes.

Tightly press this meat mixture into a loaf pan (I sprayed the loaf pan with non-stick spray first).  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 1/4 hours to 1 1/2 hours.  (If you didn't use lean meat then Drain out any fat before serving) 

Remove from oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

ENJOY!

Linked to:

The Artsy Girl

Live Laugh Rowe

52 Mantels

StoneGable

Couponing & Cooking

Inspired By Felicity

Themed Blog & Shop Hop - April Showers....Rain......Water

WELCOME to the second

"Themed Blog & Shop Hop" 

April 16th 2012! 

I'm so glad that you stopped by!

Last Month's Results

For those of you who are not familiar with "Hops" (a.k.a. Linky party) - a Blog Hop &/or Shop Hop is an event where viewers/followers can upload links onto my blog......Links to their items in their Etsy shops or links to their Blogs.  And then we can "hop" from blog to blog or shop to shop.

The theme this month is: "April Showers......Rain........Water" 

"April Showers" is vague enough to include many items &/or topics. 

So, that means if you have an item in your shop that has anything to do with "Showers, rain, water" or anything that remotely touches these topics - then please share it with us.

For example:

-Maybe you sell umbrellas or RAIN coats

-Maybe you did a blog post on Bridal SHOWERs

- Maybe you have a great seafood recipe

- Maybe you sell jewelry made from beach stones 

..........you get the picture

(If you feel you need to explain how your item/post fits into the theme then please feel free to leave a comment)

Although I would love it if everyone joined my blog or became followers of my blog - that is not a requirement to participate in this "Hop".  All I ask is that you keep your submissions decent - no offensive content please.

Well, actually there is a second rule:

only 2 submissions per person please.

If you do not have a blog or a shop then please still stop by and take a digital walk through our virtual mall.

I will be having a "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" once a month - the middle of each month.  Next month's hop will be on: MAY 16th, 2012

ENJOY!!

To Etsy shop owners - please only upload links directly to the items that you would like to share with us - not a link to your entire shop - Thanks.

To Blog writers - you may submit any post that fits into the theme - it can be an old post from many months ago (it does Not have to be a recent post).  Also, please submit the link directly to the post and Not a link to your homepage - Thank you!

I will be "tweeting" about the submissions throughout the week to come and if there are enough submissions I will be making an Etsy treasury also.

He Stilled the Storm

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper;  the waves of the sea were hushed."  Psalm 107: 28 & 29

April seems to be a month of storms;  from tornadoes to hurricanes to strong thunderstorms.  Just think about the intense sound during any of these storms and imagine how awesome it is that our Heavenly Father can calm these storms to a whisper is a split second.  Allow this knowledge that we serve an all powerful, amazing and loving God to penetrate your soul.  God will bring us out of our distress.

What about the storm within? - that struggle inside our heart....our soul.  All we have to do is cry out to the Lord and He will help us in our trials and sufferings.  God might not take the trouble away - but He will guide us and show us the way to endure that tribulation - making us stronger and better people in the end.

Don't ever hesitate to cry out to God in troubled times - He is the calm before, during and after the storm!

Herbal Coffee Substitute - Chicory

Herbal Coffee Substitute - Chicory

Chicory is a useful plant - the green leaves are used in salads or as sauteed greens and the root is used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute.  Chicory was actually mixed in with real coffee during WWII - to help extend coffee supplies.

I have seen Chicory growing wild on the side of many highways and back roads in North America.  Although - I do NOT reccommend wild cultivation - if you want Chicory coffee then buy a packet of Chicory seeds - just to be safe. 

THE TASTE:  I have to be totally honest - Chicory will never replace Tim Horton's.......but I did like it.  It smells and looks exactly like coffee but the taste is different - it's the aftertaste that was a little bitter.  It was that same aftertaste that I get from "Stevia" (a natural herbal sweetener) - it was sweet and bitter at the same time with a very slight anise taste also.

Dig the entire plant in the fall and use the top greens in salads or a stir-fry.  Snap off all of the roots from the greens and wash them thoroughly.  Cut off the ends.  Dry the roots on a cookie sheet in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours (see picture above).  Allow the dried roots to cool completely and then chop/pulse in a food processor until they look like the picture below (it will look like dirt).

Now brew in a coffee maker - I used 1 tablespoon per cup of water but that was a little strong so you can use less.

Add cream and sugar and ENJOY!!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHICORY:

(I am NOT a doctor but this information is from some of my online research)

- a blood and liver cleanser

- anti-parasitic

-contains "inulin" which helps regulate blood sugar levels

- high in Vitamin A, calcium and other vitamins and minerals

Linked to:

Inspired By Felicity

Invitation: Blog & Shop Hop on Monday!

I would like to invite all of you to join my second 

"Themed Blog and Shop Hop" on this coming Monday April 16th (2012)

For those of you who are not familiar with "Hops" (a.k.a. Linky party) - a Blog Hop &/or Shop Hop is an event where viewers/followers can upload links onto my blog......Links to their items in their Etsy shops or links to posts on their Blogs.  And then we can "hop" from blog to blog or shop to shop.

If you do not have a blog or a shop then please still stop by and take a digital walk through our virtual mall.

This will be a monthly feature on my blog - around the middle of every month (there will be a different theme each month and the submissions should fit into that theme).

ENJOY!

Easy Gluten Free Brownies From Scratch

Easy Gluten Free Brownies From Scratch

I am "anit-box-cake", in my opinion anything and everything made from scratch tastes better and is better for you.  To me - boxed brownie mixes taste as if they've added some plastic extract or cardboard fibers into the mix.......it tastes very "chemically." 

This recipe that I'm sharing with you today is another one of my Gluten Free creations and to be honest with you I prefer these brownies to my other brownie recipe that uses wheat flour.  Somehow the rice flour adds to the wonderful cocoa flavor.

1/2 cup butter (melted and slightly cooled)                           Printable Recipe

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2/3 cup rice flour (I used brown rice flour but white rice flour works well also)

1/3 cup (heaping) cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup walnuts (chopped) (Pecans may be substituted or you may also omit if you prefer)

1 tablespoon cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Melt the butter and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes.  In a large mixing bowl stir the eggs and sugar together vigorously (I stir by hand with a wooden spoon but you may use an electric mixer if you prefer).  Add in the butter, cream and vanilla extract - mix until combined.  Now add in the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt - stir until dry ingredients are fully blended into the wet ingredients.  Finally, stir in the chopped nuts.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven  for 20 to 25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean).

Allow to cool and dust with powdered sugar. 

Cut into squares & ENJOY!

More of my Gluten Free Creations:

Grapes'n Grain Chicken Salad

Gluten Free Salsa Cheddar Crackers

Linked to:

52 Mantels

Live Laugh Rowe

Loving this Crazy Life

Two Sasters

Stone Gable

Couponing n Cooking

Inspired By Felicity

Poor & Gluten Free

Transplanting &/or Splitting Rhubarb Plants

A bucket of Rhubarb plants that I am transplanting & splitting.

Transplanting &/or Splitting Rhubarb Plants

For many years I thought that Rhubarb was a fruit, since it is used primarily in sweet recipes........actually - Rhubarb is a vegetable.

Every online garden site that I've researched recommends growing Rhubarb in full sun - ---personally I have never had success growing Rhubarb in a sunny area.  My Rhubarb thrives in a shady area (this area gets more shade than sun).  I grow "Strawberry Rhubarb"  so I'm not sure if that might make a difference.

To Transplant &/or Split

For this post I am actually transplanting my rhubarb because we are expanding some areas of our garden.  However, while I was transplanting I also split the rhubarb.  These steps also apply when you need to split your rhubarb plants (You need to split when you notice that your rhubarb plants seem to be bunched together with many new younger plants in this bunch - this "splitting" should be done every 3 to 5 years).

1.  Dig up the entire "bunch" of rhubarb (it would have originally been 1 plant that spread into a bunch).

2.  You will notice a few carrot shaped roots (as seen in the picture above - there is only 1 root in this picture because I already split the plant - it is dirt color).  Follow the root to the top and you should have 1 rhubarb plant per root (sometimes 1 root will have 2 smaller rhubarb plants at the top - in this case leave it as 1 plant rather than splitting).  Simply take both roots in hand (1 root in each hand) and gently break them apart (it should be quite easy to separate). 

3.  Dig 2 (or more) holes (depending on how many plants you have split from that 1 bunch of rhubarb)  Make sure these holes are deep enough for the long carrot shaped root.

4.  Place the rhubarb plant in the hole (carrot shaped root first of course) and fill in the dirt up to the beginning of the rhubarb stalk (see picture below)....pat the dirt in place.

That's it!  You might get a few tender Rhubarb stalks the first year (after splitting) but the real harvest starts in the second or third year.

I originally had 2 Rhubarb plants and I was able to split them into 5 Rhubarb plants.

ENJOY!!

Kitty Cat Hop & Caption Comments

Kitty Cat Hop & Caption Comments

This is not my Themed Monthly Blog & Shop Hop - that is still scheduled for Monday April 16th.  I am just taking advantage of the irresistibility of my baby girl "Pounce."  She posed for this picture and I had to do something with it.

I thought it would be fun to leave Captions for these pictures in the comment section below.  You can leave as many captions comments as you like - all I ask is that there is no offensive content please.

Also - you can link up anything "cat" from your blog or shop (all I ask is that it is decent - no offensive content please).  I'm calling it a "Kitty Cat Hop."

So, you can: 

 1. Leave a Caption Comment

2. Leave a "cat" link

3. or just visit and ENJOY!

Linked to:

Twinkle In The Eye

Create With Joy

He is Risen!

Luke 24:1-12
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." ' Then they remembered his words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.  But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.  Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.  Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."

Jesus is Risen! - My savior is alive today! 

After reading these verses I am struck by 2 things - first (since I am a visual person) - Just imagine what the angels' clothing looked like - they "gleamed like lightning".  I am not one of those people who can watch a thunderstorm - the lightning is just too bright for my eyes.  I understand why the women bowed with their faces to the ground.  Just like the Star of Bethlehem during Jesus' birth, now after Jesus rose from the dead there is another form of God's immense light that cannot be ignored by anyone. 
The second thing that struck me is the description about Peter - he "got up and ran to the tomb."  The other apostles treated the women like they were out of their minds but not Peter - I imagine him running to the tomb so fast just like a little child totally out of breath. 

What joy......what amazement......what wonder!!


Luke 24:36-53
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet.  It is I myself!  Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.'
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet, And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, 'Do you have anything here to eat?'  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you:  Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.'
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  He told them, 'This is what is written:  The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised:  but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.'
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.  Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Let us never forget that Jesus died for all of our sins!   - We have eternal life only because of His sacrifice!  Thank you Lord Jesus!

Good Friday

The Crucifixion

Luke 23: 26 - 49

"As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.  A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.  Jesus turned and said to them, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me:  weep for yourselves and for your children.  For the time will come when you will say, Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!  Then they will say to the mountains, Fall on us! and to the hills, Cover us!  For if men do these things when the tree is green what will happen when it is dry?'  Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.'  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.  They said, 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.' 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him.  They offered him wine vinegar and said, 'If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.'
There was a written notice above him, which read:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ?  Save yourself and us!'
But the other criminal rebuked him 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.'
Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'
It was now about the sixth hour, and the darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'  When he had said this, he breathed his last.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, 'Surely this was a righteous man.'  When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.  But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things."

Words cannot describe what I feel every year on Good Friday.  God sends me a new message every year when I read through this Bible passage.  This year, the lesson I learned is from the criminal who spoke up and defended Jesus.  It was just 3 short sentences ('Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.')..........it maybe took him 7 seconds to utter these words that confirmed his belief in Jesus as the Son of God.  It was because those few words that Jesus responded with 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'  This second criminal has eternal life because of the shed blood of our Savior Jesus Christ!  Peer pressure is not easy on a good day but this criminal had enough courage to stand up to his peer during a time of excruciating pain. 

How many of us have been too afraid or nervous and have missed a chance to stand up for Jesus? - it might have only taken a few seconds.  It's not too late. 

Luke 23: 50 - 56
"Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action.  He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.  Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.  It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.  Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.  But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment." 


Let's be worshipful and remember what today is all about.