Good Friday is the most meaningful time of the church calendar for me. Last year I wrote about it and because the meaning has not changed I would like to share it with you again.
http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/2008/03/father-into-thine-hands-i-commend-my.html
Love Renee xoxoxo
*artwork by Chris Gollon
42 comments:
i was born on Good Friday back in 1963........
I sent healing to you and mentioned you in our circle tonight......the angels are going to triple their guard around you my friend xx
Always making me think....Thank you...
Enjoy your weekend..
xoxo Smiles,
Sonia ;)
Beautifully put. I hope you stick around alittle while longer though, I really look forward to your 'put it all out there, no bullsh!t' posts :)
Many hugs and prayers to you my dear, have a good Good Friday.
He is Risen!
I also wanted to direct you to my main blog - you were one of the (unfortunately many) inspirations for my charity of the month - I post to this one almost every day: http://meglittlestudio.blogspot.com/.
My love,
Meg
As the son of a retired Baptist minister, sometimes I find myself torn between belief and cynicism. Let me tell you when I say "I lived it, I lived it!"
Being a PK (preacher's kid) is a lot more demanding than just gettin' some churchin' up on Sunday.
Today, I don't go to church regularly, but I do joke with my dad when he asked me if I've been to church lately. I say, "Yeah, I went to Bedside Baptist this morning."
He was very strict, but outside of the church, at home, he let his guard down, and he was very funny. Maybe that's where I get it from? Who knows?
Now, back to Easter. I used to love Easter because that meant we got a new outfit to wear. One Easter, my brother and I got matching light blue three-piece suits with matching ties. It was the 70's so you can imagine the flared bell-bottom trousers as well. (Heavenstomergatroy!) When I was a teenager, I bought a flashy silver and black striped suit from Hill's department store (does that store even exist anymore?).
Anyway, when I think back to that, all I can say is, "what was I thinking?!" Dressed from stem to stern in flashy, jazz-mattaz material...for Easter Sunday! I was one hat short of looking like a pimp. (I wore the same suit for my high school senior class picture). Thank goodness, the Internet wasn't as viral as it is now.
I never really understood the whole 'get a new outfit for Easter thing' until I was much older. It's all about advertising and sales, you know. That's probably how my contempt for the commercialism of religious holiday came to be.
But I digress, this rainy, spring morning, typing this at work with no one else in the office but 4 other people.
I hope you're doing well my friend. Keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny. I hear he may stop by Madtexter's place.
Renee, this was really beautiful! I too believe that we will be reunited with loved ones. I too believe that the spirit will live on.
Happiest of Easters to you, dear Renee.
Love audrey
xoxoxo
Good morning Renee,
I adore "Jesus Christ Superstar". I had the wonderful oportunity to see Ted Neeley perform the roll live. I cried as hard then as I had 15 years earlier.
I loved what you had to say hon - I hope today and your Easter are filled with blessings. Love you, Sarah
I love the truth and gift of the resurrection....who can bring the dead back to life but the Creator Himself!?
He took the death that we deserve, that we might have the life that He deserves.
The seed must be buried before the shell can be torn away for the new life to spring forth. It is in dying, that we find rebirth and new life! Dying to all that is self destructive and ego-centered and receiving a new heart that is born of God. What an amazing exchange!!
And so let us today enter into this quiet womblike place of stillness and awareness and let Him reveal to us our great need to be One with Him, and arise with Him, in the likeness of His Ressurrection and walk on in newness of Life.
May God pour anointing oil over you dear sister, and give healing and joy beyond what you could ask or think!!!
with deepest love & prayers,
abigail
Happy good friday & blessed easter to you & your family Renee:)
I think everyone fears death. Reading your post from last year kind of lessen the fear because we all have spirits and they live on and when my time comes, I will see my SON again, my DAD, and everyone else that has gone before me. Also I will see my little doggie Chorizo who gave me 14 years of happiness. Renee, thank you for sharing this. We all will be reunited at some time. Enjoy Easter and be well. ::hugs::
Wishing ya a Beautiful Easter weekend. Big Hugs~
Beautiful, thank you. I share in your belief in Christ and reflect on his sacrifice on our behalf.
I never know why they call it "Good Friday." Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Oh well.
Enjoy your Easter with your loved ones, Renee.
xoxoxo
Nancy
"The body dies, the spirit lives on."
I should think death wouldn't look nearly so bad to you if you believe this. I don't. I like the Easter Bunny though.
'Into thine hands, I commend my spirit.’
renee, i wish i could find this story by richard bolles to share with you, but here is my memory of it. he wrote this when his brother was killed:
"imagine if the automakers started selling a car that guaranteed that no matter what happened, no matter how badly it was mangled from an accident, you would get out alive. wouldn't every one want to buy that car?
that is god's promise and guarantee: that no matter what happens to your body, you will get out alive."
i've never forgotten that story, renee, and on this easter weekend, i hope it gives you cause to remember it too.
love always,
kj
I just read your post and it brought tears to my eyes...thank you for reminding us...and for being so special...
I wish you and your family a Blessed Easter....
Good Friday and happy Easter...
hugs
Diana
I really enjoyed reading your tribute from last year on Good Friday. I know now that it's very meaningful for you. Sometimes it's easy to forget, but your post really brought it out for a remembrance. Thank you, Renee!
I also wanted to say that your previous post was so genuine and heartfelt, (as are all your posts)that I only wish there were new words I could offer to comfort you. But I can't, because you've heard them all before from so many people who care about you. The only think I can keep hammering at you is to have faith. That yes, we ALL do have to die someday, well except those who will be spared during the Rapture, but there are miracles which have postponed death for so many. And I will continue to pray and have faith that you will be the recipient of such a miracle. I believe, and I know deep inside you, you do too!
PROCLAIM YOUR HEALING! 'BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED!'
I don't have a 'god' story or a religious belief to share. But I do believe that we 'go on' to something better after this. It just doesn't make any sense otherwise.
xxx
i am not a christian nor a believer, yet i have some sort of deep inner faith..my heart is with you this easter renee. love and hugs.xx
She is the youngest of four.
A lost little soul who has probably suffered the most from my past mistakes, in that she had no comprehension of it all.
Ahhhh frig. Hindsight is a pain in the arse!
xxx
I feel more tied religiously to good friday and easter than I do to christmas, and still don't eat meat today because of it ... when that came out in a conversation with someone they made a "yeah because your such a good catholic" or something like that comment ... i don't know, i think all the years of living at home and it was such a huge issue in the "No wire hangers!!!" kind of way that i couldn't conciously eat it today ... i'm rambling, and yes i know there is more to easter and good friday than just not eating meat - can you tell i am starving as i am writting this?
Have a wonderful Easter!
come baaaaack renee! there is a sisterhood question begging for your ear and ms. baino has asserted her position as the queen of the f word. your return is desired asap.
sincerely,
the management
I read recently that scientists have discovered a God spot in the brain. I don't know where mine is. It seems to flicker on and off like a badly-wired bulb. But it gives me great comfort to believe that certain souls find each other again, whether in Heaven or in reincarnation. When I feel an instant and deep connection to someone, it only reaffirms that belief.
How fitting your name for Good Friday and Easter.
Love, love, and all the good that comes with it, Bella.
I'm religiously screwed up, personally. We were sent to Sunday school and church just to get us out of the house. My parents didn't even care what church we walked into for the day as long as we went.Oh wait, I take that back. My dad had a fit when I went to catholic church once with a friend! My parents didn't go to church much and when they did they were loaded to the gills, sitting in the last pew belting out those hymms like it was karaoke night. To this day I've never read the bible, just bits and pieces of it. Not because I had anything against it as a kid but it was never encouraged or shared in the house.
I don't want to read it now either. I've come up with my own religion and I'm comfortable with it although I do believe in God, just not in the 'traditional' sense. "Nature is my church. Kindness is my religion." That's what I say to people who ask.
I remember visiting my Aunt in Ottawa a few years ago when she was suffering with Lou Gehrig's disease. Her pastor was giving her communion in the living room and she asked if I'd like to receive communion as well. I declined and said I'd like to stay for the sermon though. She turned to me and said "Your Grandmother would be so disappointed in you."
As much as that stung me, I know it my heart that my Grandmother would be proud of the person I've become. I think God approves too.
Much love to you on this special day Renee. I admire and honor every persons beliefs.
xoxoxox
Sister Raven
Renee, lovely sentiment. We have the same (or very similar) service at St. James. It is difficult to say, "Crucify him. Crucify him." not because it is Jesus, but how could one say that about anyone?
I wrote a couple of quotes pertaining to this special weekend on my blog... and you know writing about religious things is difficult for me.
Happy Easter...
xoxoxo Lizzy
What a meaningful post.
I'll be thinking more about it.
Happy Easter, my friend!
Becky
People and societies mistake religiousness for spirituality. They are not the same. I think the idea of religion is worse than politics and money. People kill, murder and terrorize because of their religion and they think they are blessed for it. That is the most asinine excuse for murder if I've ever heard of one.
Dear Renee, I posted this as a response to everyone's comment but I wanted to share these wise words from my friend. I think it rings ture of you. I could not say it any better:
"...We are challenged to be in the moment, to really attend, to truly see, and then to listen, to hear the words of wisdom bestowed upon us by our parents. It is funny how years later we recall a time and place like yesterday, when they embraced our true selves and helped to remind us of what is important in life. My mother was very wise, but life took its toll on her in so many ways. But even now I remember the important lessons she tried to impart to me. I also remember her acceptance of my faults, such that I could come to accept them not as limitations, but as reflections of my whole self. It is true what you wrote, we as parents, our primary job is to prepare our children for their future families and to let them go. We have our children for such a short time, so we must make the most of it by giving of ourselves, but more importantly, through our actions, seeing and accepting our children as they are. If we do it right, our children move on and out into the world to find their own path and to make their own family. In the end, that is the best gift; the circle of life and family is continued. p."
Thank you Renee. I gave that painting away to someone's niece. I have painted over 200 paintings in my lifetime and I have given away most of them. Some to people with whom I no longer speak.
Well, I am in deep trouble. I have been working all week and this weekend have to work on a problem that was reported today. So I have not had a chance for solitude. I have also been blogging and as you may remember, I also had a foul mouth. I have not made any deposits to my spiritual bank. I am overdrawn. My twin sister is going to be mad at me come Easter Sunday. I have been acting like a "herejes".
A beautiful post Renee. I wish I had your faith.
Happy Easter Renee,
God Bless you!
Love,
Constance
OMG!! How moving is this Renee. This one really touched my heart in such a deep way. Passover and Easter is my favor time of year as well. I feel so bad about all this wonderful food. Tell you what, How about I bring you some of the recipes???? Hope that you have a wonderful and blessed Holiday my beautiful Friend! HUGS and KISSES
Yes, a Gemini twin. We were born on the same month and day, different year. We are both Geminis. She is also a nurse but she is sweet, gentle, sof-spoken, kind, pious, I have never heard her swear, very giving, generous, wise, classy, well-dressed and she thinks I waste too much time and I love her very much. Sometimes she stops by my blog just to remind me to behave.
You are so sweet Renee. But she is not full of mischief although she is really a lot of fun and is very popular and well liked. She is a good friend.
I think I have more in common with you. You and I would have been best classmate friends and will both seek out Bella and envelope he with love.
Happy Easter.
Also, concerning your limbo post, "limbo" is a difficult state for anyone to be in let alone someone who is dealing with cancer. I have a friend who is dealing with cancer...a lot of unknowns and harsh (to the body) treatments that take their toll. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
i had a quiet Good Friday yesterday--too quiet actually but I did lighted some candles and talked with God about how beautiful the weather nowadays and how i miss my nieces and nephews, my friends and how sometimes i cannot pray, why i cry etc.....i hope it'll be different today.
Happy Easter!
Hello Renee, I finally read the previous post and it was another heartfelt and well written piece. Do you ever consider yourself a writer? You should because you write so much better than the average "writer". I also saw Diana Evans' comment and what a treat because Diana is a dear blog sister of mine. As for Good Friday, I remember the entire week was holy when I was a child. We did not talk unecessarily and we whispered when we talked, just like when we do when there is a wake. I am afraid I am not a good Catholic and I want to be. I always cry when I go to church because I often remember Mother and Father taking us when we were kids. My parents were good Catholics. Mother especially thought that Martin Luther was a good Catholic at a time when the church was not in the best of shape with dogmas that equated tithing with salvation.
I did not observe Good friday yesterday. I worked and worked through the night. In fact I just finished resolving a problem that I have been working on since yesterday. The pharmacists were waiting for it and it involved patient care.
I wonder if I may be forgiven for my transgression in failing to observe the holy week. Since I became a nurse I worked all the holidays and somehow I thought I had a pass because I was saving lives. However, we become accustomed to making excuses and with every excuse we make we program our minds that our inadequacies and the decisions we make are acceptable and moral until we no longer have the inner voice, the conscience that tells us to give what is due to Cesar and to God what is due to God. Everything is considered good because we are so weak and selfish and we change the rules to suit our needs. I wish I am stronger. I will strive to be. I do not want to wait for a catastrophe and then tell myself, I should have gone to church. There is something to be said about celebrating together with those who share your beliefs.
Happy Easter Renee! I am not a religious person so Easter isn't really a special time for me. What is special though is that you find it so meaningful and I am happy that you are so comforted by your faith.
Caroline x
A very beautiful post, Renee. Have a Blessed Easter.:) xo Lydia
to answer your question....it's a long story and complicated...... anyway, i am trying to be happy....thanks and Happy Easter!
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