April 2022 Conchshell Chronicles
Lamb Bleatings
“Old things pass away.
Behold all things become new.”
My Youngest daughter Moselle once went to an Encounter at our church when she was still in grade school. She came back from this experience and declared to us that, “Everything is different now! It’s all changed!”
Michael and I had a brief second of a thought, “How different can it be for this young little sweet life?!”
From that start until this day, she has led an extraordinary existence choosing the high and narrow road keeping, maintaining and living out the priority of her relationship with God and those around her.
We are proud of her not because of all of her accomplishments but of who she has become in character, consistent habitual behavior and daily life accomplishments and choices. Moselle has kept in her heart the reality of Easter and the reason we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Her life is big, deep and wide and will continue to expand as a multifaceted life that represents a Kingdom that is not of this world. The King who she encountered as a child continues to reign in her life, as well as many of her family and friends.
We daily choose Who we will serve. Battles are won or loss in a moment of decision. We have watched the sowing and reaping of the fruit of decisions that are made for better or for worse. There is always a reckoning.
For a true follower of Jesus, we know that His commandments are for our own good, and life will be better as we follow Him in our new “others-centered” lifestyle.
According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, something extraordinary happened- He places His Spirit inside us.
Now we have a connection in our consciousness to Him, and a channel for his extraordinary supernatural empowerments to flow.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“New Creature” is the Greek phrase Kainos Ktistis, which means a new previously unseen biological creation that comes from God Himself. We are not the same person anymore. Moselle was spot on when she said “Everything is different now!” Our old attitudes and behavior drop away and God’s character and nature become ours. Peter explains it like this:
Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:3-4
Because of who we are, we now want to obey the things that God asks us to do. Even when we make mistakes, he uses those moments of self-centered living to further change us. Consequences often instruct and promote change in our attitudes and behavior. Many get confused by this new style of living, thinking that we have to obey all the rules when its really because of who we now are- creations made in God’s image sharing God’s Divine nature. It’s less “sin management” and more “this is who we are”.
Life is a gift. We find peace and all that we need , want and desire In lining ourselves up with the Giver of this Gift.
The Biggest gift that never stops giving .
A Gift we celebrate as the King of Easter, Christmas and the Center of every galaxy that ever was or is or is to come .
May we dawn His reality in our hearts and make it real. The choice is ours.
May the resurrection become more real to each of our hearts daily ! Laura
The Hinge of Christianity
It’s Easter week, when we Followers of Jesus celebrate his death on the cross and his resurrection. His death for our sins is what allows us to be included into God’s Family and his resurrection proves that all Jesus said about life and eternal life is true.
Photo: Jesus- Chora Church Istanbul
For historians, the Gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are eyewitness accounts which caused these witnesses to proclaim that they had seen and been with Jesus after his resurrection, even eating meals with him. Under penalty of death, they maintained their testimony.
These two aspects of these testimonies lend considerable credence to their historical accuracy. A professor of law at Harvard University, Simon Greenleaf, who wrote the textbook on evidence admissible in court used by all law schools in the 19th and 20th century, said:
"There is more historical - legal evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus than any other event in history."
The Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem
Photo by Dottie Smith
The Resurrection is the Hinge of Christianity. If It happened, then all that Jesus claimed to be is true. If not, Jesus is a liar or a lunatic, and Christianity is just another pipe-dream philosophy of what human life could be. Consider the bold claims that Jesus made about himself.
“I am Eternal.”
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 8:56-59
The Jews recognized that Jesus used the same self-description that God used when Moses asked who was sending him to free the Hebrew slaves.
God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
“I am God in the Flesh.”
Jesus said: “I and the Father are one.”
31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” John 10:30-33
His audience understood that Jesus was claiming to be God.
“My blood forgives all sin.”
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
No other world religious leader ever said anything like this.
“ I go to prepare a place for you to spend eternity with me.”
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3
“Anyone who receives Me as Savior & Lord will have eternal life.”
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him John 3:14-17
“I am the only way to Heaven.”
4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:1-6
“I myself will resurrect all who believe in me.”
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:38-40
"I will give rest and comfort to all who come to me."
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
"I am the most valuable thing you can find in this life."
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46
These are fantastic claim for any human to make. We have to decide if Jesus is lying to us, a crazy man, or actually who he says he is.
Liar, Lunatic or Lord.
We all must decide.
The historical reality of Jesus' resurrection is proof to many that his claims about himself are true. That's why is the Hinge of Christianity.
Happy Easter! Michael
At the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus resurrected from the tomb behind us!
Rio Coco News
Our school project has entered its 36th year! What a milestone!
Semana Santa has begun this week as our school take a break to celebrate the Resurrection.
Here is the link to our secure Donation page for those who want to help out this month.
Rio Coco Beans
This month we are introducing a new Organic Fair Trade coffee from Honduras.
We call it "El Jaguar" and it is a smooth deeply flavored coffee that we really enjoy.
Lukas Bagby did the artwork for the label.
We now have three organic medium roast coffees that have become our most popular choices: Timor White Star, Nicaragua Spring of Blessings, and now Honduras El Jaguar.
Order your here.
Rio Coco Beans Organic Coffees
Thanks for spending time with us this month!
Leave a comment
Please note, comments must be approved before they are published