Happy Easter!

He is risen!

This painting is by Laurent de la Hyre from the 1600s and is found in the Louvre in Paris. This was his vision of Jesus appearing to the three Marys.

Holy Saturday

Today, the day between Good Friday and Easter, is known to many as Holy Saturday.


Matthew 26:62-66
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, the scariest day of the Gospel story for Jesus' disciples and followers. Right after the last supper we move to Jesus' arrest and trial and crucifixion.

I've recently discovered artist Lorenzo Lotto a painter from Italy in the 1500s. On this Good Friday, I'd like to share some of his artwork.



In the busy days of life, let's don't forget Jesus' amazing sacrifice.

The Last Supper

The Last Supper from the 22nd chapter of Luke.


Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Cake Tasting Time

The other night, Kellianne and Scott arrived at the house with thirteen cupcakes. These weren't just any cupcakes, but these were big cupcakes of different flavors, toppings, and fillings. One of these would be a future wedding cake.



Each cupcake was big enough to easily cut into four pieces for us to try. So armed with forks, knives, plates, and a list to rate our favorites we sat down to begin the 2016 cake tasting.

The first cupcake was mint chocolate chip. Oh my goodness, it was delicious. Next up chocolate.

We went on to try pink strawberry and white strawberry. Yellow marble and white marble. Chocolate with Ressee's candy on top, regular chocolate chip, lemon, Irish, plain chocolate, and traditional white wedding cake. The cake lady also provided a strawberry filling and a raspberry filling to try with different cupcakes.



We had a ton of fun tasting each cupcake and imagining how it would taste in July.

I've already been asked what flavor was chosen, but I'm not going to spoil the surprise.

First Day of Spring

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created spring." Bernard Williams

Spring is my favorite season in Kentucky. The days are warmer and longer. Flowers begin popping up and burst into bloom. It's a time of new beginnings, and as Bernard Williams suggested, it's a time of hope.

This spring will be different for me. After work I won't be rushing out to watch Scott play tennis. Four years of high school tennis followed by four years of college tennis came to an end in 2015. I will still stop by Asbury University to watch tennis, but I won't be as invested as before.

This spring I hope to get out and work in my flowers more and exercise more. I hope to take a little time to enjoy this wonderful season God has gifted us with.

I hope this spring you have time to enjoy the weather and beauty around us. Happy Spring!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Whether you're Irish or not, March 17 is the day to celebrate. I'm not attending any Irish festivals or parades today, but I decided to share a couple of Irish quotes.

True strength lies in gentleness.


A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.

What shall I do to love? Believe.
What shall I do to believe?
Love.

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I hope you've enjoyed a few fun, and some serious quotes. Have a great day!

Flag Etiquette

I love our country, and I love our flag. Because so many men and women have sacrificed to protect us, one way I like to honor them is by flying my flag. So I thought I'd share flag etiquette today.


The American flag can be displayed from sunrise to sunset. At sunset the flag must come down unless properly lighted.

If you fly other flags with your American flag, The American flag must be on top.

If your flag wears out, the best way to dispose of it is to burn it. The safest way to do this may be to contact a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop for proper disposal. The American Legion is another option.

IF you want to hang your flag on a wall, you can hang it horizontally or vertically with the blue to the viewer's upper left.

And this last thing is not a rule on proper etiquette, but I think our American flags should be made in America.

Thanks for stopping by, and God Bless America!

March Madness

How do you feel about March Madness? Kentuckians are pretty excited no matter what school you cheer for.

Both of my parents graduated from the University of Kentucky, and I grew up cheering for UK. I was attending the University of Georgia when I met my husband, Tim, who is a UK graduate. Before we got married, Tim knew I'd always cheer for Georgia during football season Kentucky during basketball season.

Do people take sports too seriously? Maybe. But it gives you something to talk to friends and strangers about. Sports bond people.

There's more to discuss than just how great a game was, or how amazing a player played.

Women can talk about cute jewelry and clothes.



During tournament time, we need nice outfits to wear to work. We slap magnets on our cars, and we hook flags to the car windows. We also pull out our school decorations.




So if you're not into basketball, cut us some enthusiasts some slack. It'll be April before you know it.

Thirteen stripes, or not?

Many people consider this to be the first American flag sewn by Betsy Ross.

The thirteen stars and stripes represented the original states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia


When Vermont and Kentucky became states, a new version of the flag was created with fifteen stars and stripes. When our country continued to grow, it was decided to keep thirteen stripes and add another star each time a state joined the Union.

Fast forward to Alaska and Hawaii becoming the 49th and 50th states. President Eisenhower received many ideas for the new American flag. Robert Heft was a seventeen-year-old high school student who created a design for a school project. Robert got a B- on his school project, but his flag was picked as the new American flag.

Molly, The Therapy Dog

I always enjoy introducing you to my friends. Today I'd like to introduce you to Molly.

On an 18-degree night, Molly was dumped on a Mt. Juliet road. She was rescued and put up for adoption. Marilyn and Ron Leonard adopted Molly and eventually had her trained by Canines for Christ. Molly has been trained to stay calm and obedient so she can comfort people.

Ron has a military background and decided Molly would have a patriotic focus. Ron, Marilyn, and Molly minister to Military men and women on a daily basis. Their goal for 2016 is to equip churches to reach out to National Guard and Reserve units. They would like prayer to fulfill God's call on their lives.





Molly is not a service dog but a therapy dog. Her main goal is to calm and comfort people. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs can be petted. That's part of her ministry to comfort people.

Here's a quote from Ron. "Twenty-two Veterans tragically take their lives in America everyday. My wife Marilyn and along with our therapy dog Molly minister to our Military men and women on daily basis."

Molly has just gone over her 600th visit as a certified therapy dog!

If you'd like more information on Molly, Ron, and Marilyn, you can find them on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/TherapyDogMolly/


For more information about therapy dogs, email Leonard at inchristalone2004@yahoo.com

Contact Tiffany at 615-298-1500 or tiffany@gcanews.com