.Easter Thoughts.

It is just shy of 9pm on Easter Sunday. I am listening to my Chris Tomlin station on pandora as I sit on my big green couch with Colden sleeping next to me. I hear the distant sound of drilling and hammering and am comforted knowing Adam is content working in the garage. I am eating a bowl of rice pudding while perusing facebook and numerous blog posts. You know what I am noticing?--In every photo from Easter Sunday, everyone looks happy.

Happy.

It is a beautiful thing to see and fills not only my heart, but more importantly the heart of Jesus.

Adam and I attended church service this morning with his parents and younger brother Alex. The choir led us in beautiful songs depicting the courageous act Jesus did for us on the cross. The choir members sang with their heads held high and were grinning ear to ear while singing to our Heavenly Father. I felt a warmth come over my body and found myself teary eyed at the lyrics. I was smiling; I was happy. We then all sat in on my father-in-law's Sunday school class. You know what I saw?--Happiness. My father-in-law seemed cheery and upbeat while everyone greeted each other with smiles and proudly proclaimed, "He is Risen; He is Risen Indeed!" There was joy in the air and love spread amongst believers.

Adam and I brought appetizers over to his parents house where we all enjoyed a delicious ham dinner together with friends and family. Everyone was happy to be there and happy to be spending quality time. There was laughter, sharing time, and there was music.

When we came home in the afternoon, Adam and I jumped into bed to enjoy a Sunday nap. When I woke Adam was gone but Colden was in his place in our bed, it made me smile. I fixed myself a little something to eat and plopped here on my couch. Adam is working on house projects in the garage so I will not disturb :)

I am happy.

I am feeling such a peace inside and feel loved. Loved by my dog, my friends, my family, my husband, and my Heavenly Father. I felt God's love pour out of me today onto my family members and Adam. It is easy for me to love others but when I think of how much God loves me, it stops me in my tracks. I do not understand or know that kind of love. God loves me so much that He sent his only Son to die on the cross for ME. For MY sins.

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Do you know what this verse means?--It means God loves YOU. He sent His Son to die for YOUR sins so that YOU may have everlasting life. YOU are loved, YOU are loved by a Heavenly Father who wants nothing more than for you to believe in Him and to know Him.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He knew who we were before we were born and knew our sins before we committed them. Jesus forgives us of our sins. God displayed the greatest act of love by sending Jesus, His Son, to die for us so that we may know Him..know His love..know His promises..know of eternal life in Heaven. All we have to do is believe in Him. We have to ask Jesus to live in our hearts. We have to use faith to believe the courageous acts of God and His Son Jesus at calvary. We have to use faith to believe Jesus rose from the grave and is alive in Heaven and will come again.

I am loved.

I am a child of God.

I am reminded of God's mercies daily.

I have felt the power of answered prayer.

I know the Lord forgives me of my sins.

I understand God loves me so much, He sent Jesus to die on the cross for me.

I have asked Jesus to live in my heart.

I pray to my Heavenly Father constantly.

I praise Him daily.

I am filled with God's love.

I am happy.

Last year I shared the song 'In Christ Alone' and tonight I have this singing in my heart:

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness watch and pray
Find in me thine all in all

Jesus paid it all

All to him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Lord now indeed I find

Thy power and thine alone

Can change the lepers spots

And melt the heart of stone

Jesus paid it all

All to him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

It's washed away! All my sin! And all my shame!

And when before the throne

I stand in him complete

Jesus died my soul to save

My lips shall still repeat

Jesus paid it all

All to him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead

Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead

Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead

Jesus paid it all

All to him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Happy Easter friends, know that you are loved.