49 Days

Posted on April 18, 2022 by tricialathrop

Day 1 of 49

The Lord is risen.

He is risen indeed!

Today we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many spent the forty days prior to this in contemplation, sometimes giving up a food or activity, allowing them to consider the Messiah’s sacrifice on the cross.

I will try something different this year, using the next 49 days to contemplate the ministry of Jesus Christ. What interactions did he have while on earth? What miracles did he perform, and what do they tell us about his purpose here? What questions did he ask…and what questions did others ask him? What did his teaching reveal about our relationship to God and to one another? 

You may be wondering, why 49 days?

The crucifixion of Jesus happened on the day before Passover, the day the people in Judea killed the Passover lamb for their Seder celebration. Paul referred to Jesus as the Passover lamb in 1 Corinthians 5:7 when he told the people to clean out the leaven of malice and evil, because Christ the Passover lamb had been sacrificed.

Jesus rose again on the Day of First Fruits. The people brought the first produce from their crops along with other sacrifices to honor God who provided the yield of the crops. And again, Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruit for all who will be made alive at Christ’s second coming (1 Corinthians 15:23). 

This began the Feast of Weeks, Shavu’oth, which concluded with a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem on what we call the Day of Pentecost. The people were to count 7 weeks from their first harvest, 49 days, then bring a freewill offering to give as the Lord had blessed them on the fiftieth day. God commanded them to rejoice including their servants, the Levites and any sojourner within their town (Deuteronomy 16:10-12). Over time it changed from a harvest celebration to a time associated with covenant renewal and the giving of the Law. Christians know it as the day the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples.

During this 49 days of counting, Jesus appeared to his disciples and continued to teach them for 40 days. Then he told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came to them. So about 120 disciples, including women and Jesus’ brothers waited, devoting themselves to prayer, in one accord…I find that to be a miracle in itself.

They may not have known what to expect, but they remained faithful.

I’m not really sure what to expect in this 49 day journey, but I will try to be faithful to contemplate the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Lord, open our hearts to your truth, as we wait for you.

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 

11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 1:3–11.

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The Waiting Place

Posted on September 24, 2014 by tricialathrop

“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

I find myself in a waiting place. We are trying to sell our house. My words when I put it on the market, “It will sell when God wants it to sell.”

A week went by, 2 weeks, a month, 2 months…I don’t find my strength renewed, I’m definitely not soaring like an eagle. I don’t like being in the waiting place. I want to get on with our plans, move on, change our circumstances…be somewhere else. I’m tempted to manipulate God, to get Him to work in my time, not His.

Expecting the house to sell quickly, I stepped aside from all my outside responsibilities. I consider jumping back in, and yet, God calls for me to wait. It’s not easy.

What am I learning while I wait for God to bring the right person for our house?

1. It’s not all about me.
God has a plan not only for my life but for the people around me. This process of waiting allows me the opportunity for a new perspective. I drive by other houses on the market and pray for them because I understand the stress of trying to sell. When I see one that has a sold sign on it, I suppress the “what about mine?” and thank God that the house sold.

He freed me from obligations and duties, allowing me to minister and encourage the people now in my life. When we move, those opportunities will be gone. My friends mean a lot to me and I need to let them know as often as I can.

2. There are things in my life that need to go.

We have lived in this house for 21 years and we collected a lot of stuff. Some of it belonged to our children, some were gifts and a lot we bought for one purpose or another. Our places of storage hold a lot of things we no longer use.

As we plan to move to a smaller place, we need to downsize to accommodate our new place and empty nest lifestyle. We trashed those things that are broken and cannot be repaired…recycling as much as possible. We gave away or sold many items, finding new homes for things that gave us joy and now will bring joy to others.

3. Being ready takes daily commitment and inspection.

Before we put the house on the market, we repaired, painted and cleaned from top to bottom, going over everything carefully to make sure it all works and looks good. That initial push got the house ready, but as each day passes we continue to clean and inspect, keeping it ready for anyone who plans to come and see.

It’s true that my house will sell in the Lord’s perfect time not mine. My strength is renewed as I look to Him. I soar each time I meet a friend. The walking and running? I’m still learning to be content as I wait.

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Transitions

Posted on June 26, 2014 by tricialathrop

We put our house on the market this week. 

I stand at the door, unsure of what waits on the other side. I didn’t think this door world come so soon. Opening a door is not new to me; transitions are a part of life but this one feels different.  

My first major transition came when I left the comfort of my Mom and went to kindergarten. Mom says that I came up with many reasons not to go, but off to school I went. There were good and bad days, but each year presented me with opportunities to learn and grow. 

I remember the excitement of going to college and then the apprehension when I waved goodbye to my parents and walked back to my dorm room. Surrounded by new faces and map in hand, I began the adjustment  to life away from home. Four years later I said goodbye to the comfort of college classes, friends and my parents bank account.

Could I make it on my own without my parents help? A new job, making my way through the maze of finances, time management, relationships…then the marriage to my best friend, a lifelong companion with whom to explore and enjoy the mysteries of life. 

Each transition came with challenges and opportunities. Doors opened and closed, always with the sense of anticipation, excitement for the possibilities and angst for the challenges. But each transition eventually became comfortable.

Three children came along. The options now included their development and experiences. They walked through their own doors leaving me with an empty nest. No longer responsible for their care, I began to put more into writing.  

Once again, I arrived at a place of comfort. Now, Norm’s retirement brought us to this new door. All the other doors of transition led to opportunities, explorations, new experiences, learning and growth.  Just because we are older doesn’t mean this one will be any different. We can stand on these truths.

  1. “This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lam. 3:21-23. Everyday I can rely on the Lord, who does not change, to be faithful no matter what comes my way.
  2. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. This promise has no age or stage of life limits. 
  3. “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. In the morning sow your see, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecc. 11:4,6.  My responsibility, step out in faith and don’t worry about the outcome.

 

I stand at the door of transition, unsure of what lies on the other side, but confident in the Lord God, who does not change.

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The Traditional Christmas Scene

Posted on December 24, 2013 by tricialathrop

Traditional Nativity Scene

Walking around we see the traditional nativity scene: Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the manger, a cow, donkey, a few sheep, a shepherd and three kings with their gifts and camels. Above the stable will be either a star or an angel. The Christmas story all wrapped up in a neat little package…or is it?

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,’ Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
Luke 2:8-17 KJV

The shepherds left immediately to find the baby in a manger…who were they seeking? They went in search of a Savior, Christ the Lord.
What makes Jesus our savior? He became our substitute sacrifice on the cross, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He came to make reconciliation between God and man, bringing us the peace and goodwill foretold by the angels.
Jesus was born in a stable, not because there was no room at the inn or because they were a poor family, though those circumstances paved the way for him to be born in a stable. Jesus came as the Lamb of God. Where else would a lamb be born but among the animals?
Who were the first to inspect a lamb and make sure it made a sufficient sacrifice? The shepherds, God leaves nothing to chance. The angels appeared to the shepherds, the first to be told about Jesus’ birth.

Traditional Nativity Scene
Part 2

Fast-forward a year or two. Wise men from the east enter Jerusalem and begin to inquire, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
We always see three kings, riding on their three camels, each carrying a small box. We’ve even given them names, Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior. But in reality, we don’t know how many there were or how large their caravan. We know there were at least two, they were coming to honor a king and they brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. They would have brought the best they had to offer and probably a whole entourage with them.
It may seem that the Magi made a mistake in going to Jerusalem first. Sometimes we follow God’s direction and end up in what looks like the wrong place. But don’t assume it’s the wrong place; it could be to find direction for your next step or to influence another person in their walk.
In Jerusalem the Magi discovered that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, the whole city became aware of the birth of the King, and Herod heard the news that set in place fulfillment of prophesy.
They wasted no time in heading to Bethlehem as soon as they knew of the clarifying prophecy. And God sent the star ahead of them to make sure they found the right place.
“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, (not the stable), they saw the young child (not the baby) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:9-11
They did not go to the stable to meet the Lamb of God; they went to the house to honor a King.

Jesus came first and foremost as our savior, the Lamb of God to make reconciliation between God and us. When we come to him as our Savior, we bring him our worst; our sins, our fears, our pain, our shame. He doesn’t want us to get our act together first and then come to him. He wants us to come as we are with all our garbage and let Him take care of the worst we have to offer.
But we also come to him as our King. And as our King we bring Him our very best. We bring our gold: our gifts, talents and abilities. We bring our frankincense: our worship, praise and adoration. We bring our myrrh: our obedience and self-denial.
Jesus wants our very best and He wants our very worst. He wants us to come to Him with all that we are and place our lives in His hands, our Savior, our King.

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New Beginnings

Posted on December 10, 2013 by tricialathrop

I decided to do advent devotionals on my post, but haven’t done it in so long I didn’t realize that my blog was no longer up and running.  It took some days to get it settled since I was on vacation with my husband when I tried to post and couldn’t.  

It makes me wonder how serious am I about writing.  I say I want to be a writer and have some great ideas, but I am far short on the follow through.  So today is a new beginning. I’ll start now before the New Year begins…

New Beginnings

When Norm and I prepared to move to New York, I decided to change my name from Patti to Tricia. After Norm stopped laughing, he asked me why.  I told him that I wanted a more mature name, but really, I wanted to change who I was.  I felt insecure and insignificant. I thought changing my name would help.  When my new neighbor asked my name, I paused and debated with myself.  I thought, “I change my name here and now, or I’m Patti for the rest of my life.”  New beginnings…

 I loved the first days of school.  I had new books, new pencils, new notebooks, new classmates and a new teacher.  They were symbols of a chance to do better at school, to refrain from procrastination and to be more outgoing.  New beginnings…  

 Each New Year we make resolutions.  We see January 1 as a new start, an opportunity to improve ourselves.  We determine to be better parents, better spouses, to be more kind, more generous, exercise more, eat less, simplify…and the list goes on.  New beginnings…

 The Israelites celebrated Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.  On that day, they repented of sins and recommitted themselves to the Lord.  The priests lay their hands on the head of a Scapegoat, symbolically placing all their sins on the goat.  Then they sent it into the desert and watched their sins disappear from sight.  They began each year with no sin or guilt to hinder their walk with God.  New beginnings…

 Our ultimate “do-over” came with Jesus Christ.  With His death and resurrection, He not only paid the penalty for our sins, He gave us the ability to walk in obedience to God.  Our sins are no longer held against us.  The Holy Spirit helps us live a life that honors God.  New beginnings…

 But God knows us better than we know ourselves.  We continue to sin as our best intentions get lost in the day-to-day distractions of life.  He gives us a new beginning every day of our life.  Every day we can repent, we can make restitution, we can move forward, following God with all our hearts, mind and soul.  And when we fail, it’s not the end.  It’s another chance for a new beginning…

 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

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Empty Nest…almost

Posted on March 17, 2013 by tricialathrop

My son Rob moved out in October to his new job.  My daughter Jenn came back from Australia…yes a true boomerang…and stayed until January.  My daughter Aimee  returns next week and will be here for a month until her wedding day.  I think she is bringing Kaia, her dog along with her.

 

 

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EMPTY NEST…FULLY BLEST

Posted on November 2, 2012 by tricialathrop

Today is a new beginning.  The movers came this morning and packed up my sons belongings.  Robert is the last to leave the nest and even though he has been at college for four years, I cried.  A chapter of my life is complete.  Thirty years of raising my children to be persons of integrity…completed.  Now all three are out on their own, making their own decisions and their way in the world.

I have loved being a mom, it’s tough at times but well worth the effort.  Now the role is different, more advisory and supportive, less instructive.

I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my life.  Norm and I will be traveling, not only to see our children scattered around the world, but Norm has a goal to visit all of the US national parks.  

 

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Hello world!

Posted on November 2, 2012 by tricialathrop

Welcome to WordPress.com! This is your very first post. Click the Edit link to modify or delete it, or start a new post. If you like, use this post to tell readers why you started this blog and what you plan to do with it.

Happy blogging!

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